Behind The Scenes // Life in Retail

Hello! 

These weekly blogs are coming thick and fast at the moment aren’t they! That’s not to say that the motivation has been flowing through my veins because it really hasn’t but I know that once I reach the end of a post, and publish it to be read, I’ll feel so much better so it’s worth pushing through the grey haze. On that note I’ll move on to the topic of today’s post. 

If you didn’t know already I am a checkouts supervisor for a UK supermarket and have been for nearly three years now - although I am trying to move on, the life of retail just doesn’t want to let me go! With this in mind, I thought I’d share some of the funny, unique, weird and wonderful things I’ve learned throughout my life in retail! 

‘The Customer’s Always Right’ 

Are they? 

‘I’ll Go Check in the Back’

Will I? 

‘I Completely Understand your Frustration’

Do I? 

The public’s perception of supermarket workers and their roles varies and it’s easy to say that not everything is what it seems.Working for any kind of retail based shop has one thing in common, you represent that brand. So everything you do isn’t really you doing it; it’s the company doing it, so you smile at the rude customers, laugh at the same jokes you’ve heard all morning and you master the art of a customer service smile.

Source - Someecards

This being said retail workers often have to take what’s thrown at them without a second thought. I’m sure everyone’s had the experience of not finding a specific item you went to the shop for, it’s frustrating but who’s fault is it? It’s not the worker you asked to direct you to the product. Supermarkets rely on technology more than ever at the moment, considering ‘scan as you shop’ schemes, hi-tech till systems and computers throughout the store, technical difficulties do happen - which I’m sure everyone’s familiar with through countless Zoom sessions…

Source - nolimitdronez

These are only two small examples but most days I experience customers either aggressively shouting at cashiers, making personal complaints when ‘out of our hands’ difficulties occur or when a product they want is out of stock. But the people in the shop are the same as everyone else, they are there to make a living, to put dinner on the table and to pay their bills. So next time you/you see someone shouting and acting out remember, that is someone’s daughter, father, partner. Supermarket workers are human beings - something that is often forgotten. 

However, don’t get me wrong there are some positive aspects of customer service that counteract all the bad. Majority of customers are absolute joys to have in the shop and being in such a social role where you get to meet hundreds of people each day, listen to their stories and learn about different forms of life is highly beneficial and it can brighten a dull day.

These perks were highlighted more than ever during and after the pandemic. Of course those that were more vulnerable; mostly the elderly, were somewhat locked away from the outside world for a long time through the trio of lockdowns and this has become evident in day to day life in my shop. The cashiers or shop floor workers might be the only people they speak to that day so it’s important to really engage and listen to what they’re saying, you might be making their day. 

Source - Hallmark

Working in retail is much like any other job being that no day is the same as the one before and it has its ups and downs. But customer facing roles can be hard because customers are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get! 

Although short and snappy, I hope this was a little enlightening to those who haven’t had the pleasure of working in a retail based role, or those who might be prone to the weekly customer service complaint. Remember to be kind, understand that a job is a job and put yourself in that position. Let me know if you’ve had any of these experiences below! 

Until next time,

Shannon xx 

Starting Again // Gym Confidence

Hello again! 

Here we are people, stage two of lockdown lifting! We made it! Stage two means pubs, salons and gyms back in our lives; three things everyone will have missed significantly. But with the latter being something many feel anxious and uncomfortable, but over time I have managed to slightly conquer this daunting gym fear and I thought I would share some of the little tips and tricks I’ve found help me when my gym motivation is at its lowest. 

Find What Works for You

First day back at the gym and you’re thinking Oh my Gosh I have so much to catch up on and start doing a 45 minute HIIT with 50 exercises nd 5 second rests because that’s “guaranteed results” but the harsh reality is that we are starting from the bottom before we reach the top. Understand that you might not be at the same level you were when you left the gym and take this into consideration when planning a new routine! 

Source - The Fitness Factory

It took me three lockdowns to find a home workout routine that suited me best.I tried Joe Wicks workouts, Chloe Ting Ab workouts but they just weren’t for me. Eventually I gave into the flash sale that SHREDDY was holding, and it changed the game for me! It set out a weekly schedule which you could tailor to what suited you best based on the equipment, room and time you had. I chose to do shreddy10 which I combined with 10-15 minutes on a mobile stepper I had, and this added up to 30-45 minute workouts up to five times a week., and I loved it. So find something that works for you, with you and around you. Your future self with thank you later.

Be There for the Right Reason

It is too easy to hear the word gym and instantly relate it to weight loss, body image and feelings of self depreciation. But when you go to the gym looking for these results, it’s often less enjoyable and can become an unhealthy obsession for the wrong reasons. I recently started following a content creator called EmmasRectangle and she began her gym journey two years ago, whilst she wanted to lose a couple of pounds she set her main goals to strength training and becoming a stronger person inside and out and by doing this, she found a healthy balance between cardio and strength training meaning that any results other than muscle growth were an added bonus for her. 

Source - Music and Sunshine

This is something that has massively changed my mindset for the better. In the past, I would use the gym to burn as many calories as I could and if I hadn’t burned as many as the previous day I’d feel deflated and like I hadn’t worked hard enough - which is ridiculous. Since watching Emma’s videos, I workout with the knowledge that I am working towards bigger health benefits rather than superficial benefits, and if these benefits do come then it is a bonus. I should care more for my lung capacity, stamina and strength than my dress size or how I compare to those around me in the gym.

Workout Like No One’s Watching

The gym can be scary when you’ve been away for a while and you might develop a wave of different anxieties you didn’t have before. When you go to the gym, do you sit on the bike and silently judge everyone else on what they’re wearing, how their form is or what exercise they’re doing? No? Well, then I can assure you that no one is thinking that about you. Truth is they are thinking the exact same things as you! 

Oh my god, I’ve only done 7 MINUTES?! 

I don’t remember this being so hard!

Whoa, that weights too heavy, I hope no one see’s me swap for a smaller one (spoiler alert, they won't)

Am I sweating too much?

How does Joe Wicks make this look so easy?!

So next time you walk into the gym, put your favourite playlist onto max volume, fill up your water, and own it. In all honesty, no one’s probably even noticed that you’ve entered so do your thing, for you and for the right reasons. Remember your warm ups/cool downs and always have fun with it, no pressure, no unrealistic goals, just some time to look after yourself.

I really hope this post has benefitted some of you! Going back to the intense environment of the gym can be a lot for some, especially after doing home workouts alone for the past how mant months! Good luck to those who are returning and even if you're not an avid gym go-er or exercise enthusiast, I hope you got a big of motivation and encouragment from this post to take a little time you care for yourself.

Until next time,

Shannon xx