Stressful

When things get stressful, we feel overwhelmed. It feels like everything is falling apart around us–as if the world might come to an end. Stress can be caused by deadlines, chaotic situations, tense or awkward moments, and the oh so common to-do list, which never seems to end.

I remember working as a cashier at a clothing store during the Christmas season and getting stressed out by how long the lines got. The more customers that came into the store, the more stressed I became. And this was at a time before cellphones were in use. This was in the 90s.

During one of these long line days, a customer had asked me if a certain item was in stock. Seems simple enough, but the process was tedious. First, I had to scan the item, then I had to call the nearest store to see if they had it in stock (there wasn’t a computer there where I could browse the online inventory). Today, a sales clerk can search the inventory online with just a few clicks–taking a fraction of the time. In my case, I had to call one store after the next.

And whenever a customer decided to make a purchase with a check, I remember how it held up the line, since the customer had to first write the check, then it had to be fed into the register, etc.

As I waited, I would glance back at the costumers in lines and see the impatience and frustration showing on their faces. It wasn’t like they could occupy themselves on their phones (since iPhones and the like hadn’t been invented yet). They just stood there waiting while with an armful of clothes.

As the workday progressed into the evening, the stress got worse. By the time the store closed. there would be piles of clothes everywhere that had been shuffled around like laundry. This was during the holiday season, mind you. A time when everyone should be happy–enjoying the Christmas season.

We’re all going through something whether or not we express it or exhibit it outwardly. We do our best to not make the situation worse, to not escalate it into something it needn’t be. We put on a smile so as to not make it unbearable or awkward for others. Just like when I was a cashier going through the stress of long lines, I kept my calm, didn’t let panic get the best of me, although that’s how it felt within me.

So during this holiday season, which can be very stressful, let’s be patient, understanding, empathetic, and kind to one another. It can make a world of difference to someone.