The Routine Job Type

It’s very easy to get very overwhelmed when you are a cashier. The environment in which you work is often the same and the people you come in contact with on a daily basis are almost always the same as well. It’s very easy to get caught up in the motions and stuck in routine while on the job day in and day out. Which makes it easier to get caught up in where you once were in life, how you got to where you are and also places a very heavy focus on where you would like to be. The impact that the environment, the people, customers, and co-workers that you work around all have a very strong impact on your mood while you’re on the job.

While working, you’re usually expected to pick up items, scan, and bag at a very high rate of speed while bagging like items together. Meanwhile, you are also supposed to maintain a very good mood, make the customer feel noticed, welcomed, and (much like any other job) keep them leaving feeling happy and welcome back anytime. If you have OCD or anxiety, it’s going to be quite difficult to do all of these things, but do not let that detail bit drag you down. It’s very easy to get caught up in "this goes here, that should go there," and leave your customer within the world of their own thoughts. You just have to take time to remind yourself that you wouldn’t like to be left with your own thoughts, so why leave them? This is also when I bring up the point that while you should treat them like they are coming back, you should look at them like they won’t choose your lane next time. Thus creating an "okay, I might see you again, so let’s make this time count" approach.

Some customers will like you for your speed and how fast you can get the line done and over with. Others, you’ll find, like to have a conversation, and this you will learn by trial and error. At the end of the day, they’re just shopping and it’s your job to get them out the door to get the rest of their day back on track. Whether they’re going on to do nothing or everything, you should make their shopping experience fast, friendly, and fun. Usually, this is easy with small topics like the weather, the next holiday, or even the dreaded tax day coming up. It’s never too late to be the one to help set reminders for your customers and make sure they make important upcoming days count for them. Whatever the topic, make sure you try to have a smile on your face. Do not forget that it’s okay to be a little human sometimes when you’re overwhelmed on lane though.

It’s always good to have a little something on the side for when you become stressed out. A stress ball, fidget spinner, a small journal to write in on breaks, or even just that vape that you smoke outside on breaks. Whatever the case for you, it’s good to have a way to let off steam or clear your mind throughout the work shift so that you are not always overwhelmed for the entirety of a shift. There are options out there that are like stress medication without the prescription Such as Hylands Calm, Natural Calm magnesium, or even Natrol Stress and Anxiety. You can find most online or even at places like Walgreens, Meijer, or CVS.

While you can count on some meds and anti-stress techniques, it’s also good to remember that constant exposure to human contact isn’t exactly right for everyone. It’s always good to try out a job for at least three months to see whether or not it would be a good fit for your lifestyle, and if it’s not, don’t be afraid to talk to management first and discuss options before going crazy and quitting. It’s also good to have a backup job lined up in case things don’t end up working out for you. Whatever the case, the point is to make sure you leave the job on good terms without burning any bridges.