A Year of Growth Part 1

It is hard to believe how much I have changed in over a year. I used to be painfully shy. (I couldn’t even say hello!) Plus, (and most people don’t know this), I struggled for over a decade with mental illnesses, addictions, and an eating disorder.

Looks were everything and pretending I was okay was top priority. I put too much importance on using makeup to hide instead of using makeup for fun. A year ago I stopped using makeup. I stopped doing Aloette.

I started a retail job and really pushed myself to conquer my shyness that crippled me in life. I have worked with so many kinds of people now. I have been made fun of and made some people mad.

Through those painful moments I experienced great joy when I would make a customer smile or laugh. When I would go the extra mile in getting a cart, carrying a heavy item, listening to a story, or giving a simple discount.

I always found it funny when customers would share a story about their day and then say,

“Oh my I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to go on like that.”

Or when a customer gets embarrassed that they are asking for things to be rung up a certain way,

“Sorry I know I am being one of those customers.”

I always say that it is okay. It is not just my job to be a good listener. I believe it is part of being a good human being. Feeling heard is so important. Be that person who listens. You never know what the customer has been through in their life or even that day.

My personal phrase is: a smile can save a life. Don’t be afraid to be human. People will appreciate your effort to sympathize. To go out of your way.