Well I never ever saw this coming! I have worked consistently since I was 14 years old. I had a paper round as soon as I was allowed one. Then on to being a waitress at a golf course at 14, 16 saw me move into the retail sector at TKMaxx where I transferred stores to Hammersmith in London whilst I studied at The Royal Central School of speech and drama.
Then on to a rewarding career at Boots for 13 years. Here I trained as a dispenser, assistant pharmacy store manager and manager. Unfortunately after many years of being told by family and friends I realised I was working to live and not living to work. I often cancelled plans, couldn’t make them as I was on all the evening shifts and often worked weekends. So after 13 years earlier this year I decided to hang up my Boots (excuse the pun) and try something different.
I had 2 interviews in quick succession. One with familiarities to the healthcare world I know so well and one in a start up business in my village. The startup venture sounded exciting, quirky, had a lot of potential and was right up my alley but it was one hell of a risk. I received offers from both jobs.
For the first time in my life I took the risk… and it was fantastic. I was front of house in the quirky cafe of the business. Having lived in the village my whole life and having four generations before me come from the same village I knew nearly everyone. If I didn’t know them I would find out about my customers and build a warm welcoming environment where they could come and chat if they were on their own.
The hours were fantastic 8:30am-3pm and it meant my dog wasn’t left on her own too long. My personality fit the vibe of the cafe and I was my colourful, bubbly, chatty and caring self. I sprinkled kindness like confetti and thought I was doing an awesome job. I was getting known also for my legendary knickerbocker glory’s, my milkshakes and my iced lattes.
However 2 months in I had the shock of being let go! I was told I didn’t fit in and that I wasn’t what the business needed. My hopes and aspirations just fell apart. No in the moment feedback, no could you just do more of this and barely any training and I had built up quite the client base of regulars… to say I was gutted was an understatement.
So now here I am a 34 with no job. I have this feeling of being lost. I have never ever been without a job and I have turned into a house wife overnight. I am now not sure where life is going to take me or what I want to do. However I have learnt that I am not going to change who I am for anyone. If I am too kind, nice, chatty, bubbly and friendly surely these are attributes some kind of job will need. I don’t want to fit into a corporate world I was born to stand out and be me.
invisiblenotimaginedart 