It takes people aback when I say I like being a waitress. Many of them assume that I’m doing this just to fill in time or wait for something better to come along. As if this is just a stepping stone into a real job, not a real job. But honestly, I’m so happy here.

One main reason why I enjoy this job is because it doesn’t demand heavy mental work. I’m free from being glued to the screen all day; I’m not stuck in endless meetings trying to sound smart. I dont have to hit quarterly targets or pretend that I care about reports. I show up, I work as hard as I can, and I go home; that’s it. There is simplicity in this work; I know my schedule. I seat people, take orders, deliver food, clear the plates, smile, and repeat. It’s physical, it’s demanding, but it’s worth it. It keeps me active and moving; I can work in his environment without being stressed about peer pressure or analysis paralysis. On many days, it’s a gift that I need not take my work back home with me.

And yes, of course, every work comes with some exhaustion. My legs hurt after a long shift, sometimes customers are rude, and sometimes the kitchens are behind, and everything gets chaotic. But even in the middle of the dinner rush, I dont feel mentally drained the way I did at my corporate job. I used to sit in front of a screen for eight hours pretending to care about emails I barely understood.

My work is straightforward. I don’t need to strategize, build plans, or climb any ladders to get better at it. I just need to show up, look presentable, and be polite. The best part is I sleep better with this job than I did with my previous one. My mind is relaxed at night because there is no work-related stress that keeps me up. I dont dread Mondays, nor do I have to optimize myself. I just come to the diner, do my work, and get home. Simple as that.

So yeah, this job isn’t glamorous. It may not be something you brag about during a reunion, but it keeps me grounded and human. It pays my bills and keeps me sane, and for now, that’s more than enough.