7-Eleven Night Shift: Confessions of a 30-Year-Old Convenience Store Worker

The Late Night Grind at 7-Eleven

Working the night shift at 7-Eleven is an experience unlike any other. It's a world where the lines between comedy and tragedy blur, and where the human condition is laid bare in all its peculiar glory. As someone who's spent countless hours behind the counter, I've seen it all - from the mundane to the downright bizarre.

The Unexpected Success

Recently, I experienced something I never thought possible - a taste of YouTube success. One of my videos garnered around 4,000 views and brought in a bunch of new subscribers. It was a surreal experience, especially for someone who's been trying to make it on the platform for years without much success.

But here's the kicker - this unexpected success brought its own set of challenges. Suddenly, I felt a weight of expectation I'd never experienced before. The fear of letting people down became real, and ironically, being successful on YouTube felt more difficult than when I was getting just 100 views per video.

A Typical Night at 7-Eleven

Let me paint you a picture of what a typical night at 7-Eleven looks like:

The Start of the Shift

As I clock in, the first thing that hits me is the realization of the responsibility I'm about to shoulder. There's a ton of expensive merchandise around, and if anything gets damaged or stolen, it's coming out of my paycheck. It's a sobering thought that keeps me on my toes throughout the night.

Dealing with Unusual Customers

One of the most unpredictable aspects of working at 7-Eleven is the customers you encounter, especially during the late-night hours. From people seemingly passed out in the parking lot to groups of teenagers trying to film TikToks in the back room, there's never a dull moment.

I've become something of an amateur detective, always on the lookout for shoplifters and other suspicious behavior. It's not uncommon to spot someone trying to sneak out with a pair of gloves tucked into their hoodie or witness some truly bizarre scenes in the parking lot.

The Mental Toll

By the end of a shift, I'm usually pretty beat. While 7-Eleven might not be considered "hard work" in the traditional sense, it's mentally draining. Dealing with difficult customers, staying alert for potential theft, and managing the constant flow of tasks can take its toll.

The job requires a constant state of vigilance. Whether it's watching the security cameras, keeping an eye on the pizza timer, or just trying to stay awake, there's always something demanding your attention.

Reflections on Life and Dreams

Working these late-night shifts gives you a lot of time to think, and lately, my thoughts have been turning to some pretty heavy topics.

Giving Up on Dreams

One of the hardest realizations I've had to face is that I've essentially given up on my dreams. For years, I held onto the hope of becoming a successful YouTuber or making it big online. I told myself that by the time I hit 30, I'd have at least 100,000 to 300,000 followers.

Reality, however, had other plans. At 30, I find myself with 19,000 followers, barely any views, and earning just pennies from YouTube each month. It's a tough pill to swallow, but at some point, you have to be realistic and change direction.

The Community College Struggle

I've been attending community college on and off since 2012, making me what I jokingly refer to as a "12-year loser." I'm just one class away from graduating - algebra - but math has never been my strong suit. The plan now is to take it online and do whatever it takes to pass, even if that means resorting to less-than-honest methods.

It's a bit depressing to think about - being 30 years old, working at 7-Eleven, with no real skills to speak of. But I'm trying to focus on the positives and the progress I've made, no matter how small it might seem.

Financial Progress

Despite the setbacks, I'm proud of the financial progress I've made this year. I've learned to budget, changed my habits, and started building up a nest egg. While I might not hit my goal of saving $10,000 by the end of the year, I'm on the right track.

My hope is that if I keep going, especially with investments like Bitcoin, I might be able to have a nice life in about 5 years. The dream of owning a house might be out of reach, but maybe a nice trailer isn't too far-fetched.

The Reality of Giving Up on Dreams

Giving up on your dreams is a strange experience. On one hand, it feels like admitting defeat. On the other, it can be oddly liberating. It's allowed me to focus on more immediate, achievable goals.

Don't get me wrong - there's nothing I love more than getting views on YouTube and feeling successful. Making movies has been my lifelong dream since I was a kid making stop-motion Lego videos. But at some point, you have to be realistic about your chances and focus on being good at something attainable.

Pride in Hard Work

I take pride in being a good 7-Eleven employee. I get a lot of hours and I'm probably one of the highest-paid 7-Eleven employees in the country - even out-earning some managers. It might not be glamorous, but it's honest work, and I'm proud of my work ethic.

Mental Health and the Struggle of the 30s

Lately, I've been going through a tough time mentally. The transition into my 30s has been weird and somewhat disappointing. I always thought I'd be somewhere else in life by now - in a career, making good money. Instead, I'm facing the consequences of a series of bad decisions.

I didn't graduate high school, which limited my options significantly. I considered joining the Marines at one point, but that door closed when I ended up in an alternative education program. From there, it was a spiral of failures that led me to where I am now.

The Bitcoin Hope

In the midst of all this, Bitcoin has become a beacon of hope. It's really the only thing I feel I have going for me right now. I'm not particularly skilled in many areas - I struggle with jobs, talking to people, and management. But Bitcoin offers a potential way out, a chance at a better future.

Looking to the Future

As I sit in my car in the 7-Eleven parking lot at 2:14 in the morning, talking into a camera, I can't help but reflect on the strange journey that's brought me here. It's not where I expected to be, but it's where I am.

I'm learning to let go of the pressure I put on myself with these videos. If people like them, great. If they don't, that's okay too. The important thing is to keep moving forward, to keep trying, even when things seem bleak.

Conclusion

Life doesn't always turn out the way we expect it to. Dreams change, priorities shift, and sometimes we find ourselves in places we never imagined. But there's always hope, always a chance to make things better.

Whether it's through hard work at a convenience store, investing in cryptocurrency, or simply refusing to give up, there are always paths forward. The key is to keep walking, keep trying, and to find value in the journey, wherever it may lead.

If you've made it this far in this long reflection, thank you for listening to my story. Life might not be perfect, but it's mine, and I'm determined to make the most of it. Here's to the future, whatever it may hold.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgi5ChUDzyA