“8 Years Is Enough”: SPAR Employee’s Decision to Quit Retail Pays Off

• A local woman named Faith shared on TikTok that, after eight years, she left her job in the retail industry
• The TikTok user shared a series of pictures of herself, some showing her at her old work and others in her new workspace
• Many online community members gathered in the comment section to congratulate Faith on her career progression
• Briefly News spoke to someone working in retail, who shared the downfalls of the industry
• Briefly News also contacted a registered counsellor to share strategies to help manage the stress of adjusting to a new job after leaving a well-known role

A woman took a leap of faith and quit her retail job to pursue one that brought a smile to her face. Members of the online community were supportive of the woman and showed her positivity.

Taking to her TikTok account, the woman, whose name is Faith, shared a series of pictures of herself, some of which showed her in SPAR uniform. She wrote on the first photo that she resigned from her job in retail on 26 January 2025.

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She added in the caption:

"I said, 'Eight years is enough.' Now see what the Lord has done."

While Faith didn't share the new opportunity she had been granted, she seemed to have left her retail job for an office job, as she was seen sitting at a desk.

Some social media users assumed she worked for SARS as she was seen posing in front of a banner with the revenue service's logo in her TikTok post.

What are the downfalls of retail?

A person who works in the retail industry and wishes to remain anonymous spoke to Briefly News about the downfalls of working in the retail industry.

Below are the points they provided:

• You don't get to spend time with family and friends because of full shifts starting at 8am and ending at 7pm. The shift may consist of working five days a week and on weekends.
• You have to deal with disrespectful customers. They think "it's your job" to clean up after them if they make a mess.
• There is often no recognition for exceptional work (for example, huge sale, visual merchandise, etc).
• Money is wasted on transportation when you are needed at another store.

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New job strategies to manage stress

Moving from one job to another can be quite a transition.

While speaking to Briefly News, registered counsellor Aniqa Johnson provided strategies to help manage the stress of adjusting to a new job while leaving behind a role that was once comfortable and well-known.

Aniqa notes that comfort can be quite a struggle when it comes to needing to move on, as it becomes "quite scary." However, it doesn't mean the new journey you're on is something you regret.

She then referred to a triangle of coping skills, hobbies and self-care regarding the strategies that people should focus on.

"They are a triangle because they all have something in common — you do it because you enjoy it, and it makes you feel good. You are not going to do any of those three things without it having a positive impact on you."

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While it can be daunting to think of coping skills, hobbies, and self-care, Aniqa states that most of the time, we already have them built in.

"We just have to reframe how we are doing these things. It's the intention behind our behaviour."

SA applauds former SPAR employee

Faith's post received several congratulatory messages from social media users, who also took to the comment section to share their experiences of leaving one work environment in search of a new one.

@babydaddy451 shared their congratulations to the former retail worker and said:

"It's a positive energy to see someone winning with a background of where I'm at now. It gives us hope. Soon I will share my story."

@phiwakazi loved the news and wrote to Faith:

"Oh, I'm so happy for you, my sister. How I wish to take that risk, but it's just that I'm scared. I don't know what the future holds."

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@kingofnailsbloem stated in the post's comments:

"The fear of stepping into the unknown is what is holding many people back."

@barcelosmommy noted what they thought the downside of working in retail entailed, writing:

"The thing with retail is you become a prisoner. You can’t take calls, can’t attend interviews, and you’re always at work. When you’re off, there’s laundry and housework. Plus, you need to rest as well."

An appreciative @maapitsi_m said to the woman:

"Thank you for giving me hope. Congratulations, my queen. May God bless you abundantly and grant you your heart's desires and more wealth."

@noxeey6, who felt they could relate, added in the comment section:

"I left SPAR in May last year. Today, I'm in logistics earning four times more of what I used to earn. Retail will hold you back."

3 Other stories about career changes

• In another article, Briefly News reported about a cement mixer who showed people his career glow-up. He shared that he became a working professional after earning his qualification to change his life.
• A woman showed her impressive career progession, showcasing her journey through various roles, which included being a domestic worker, caregiver and financial administrator.
• A young woman secured a corporate job after years of working in retail. South Africans entered the comment section with support and sent congratulatory messages.

Source: Briefly News