It’s March 2020, the streets of London are empty. Off to work wearing a face mask walking pass the deserted Victoria station. Covid is here and travel is almost impossible and social distancing is in enforced. Dropped my bag in the changing rooms where I was working in these times. I used to work as a slicer in a Bakery few yards away from Victoria coach station. The amount of orders was crazy and insane, getting ready to crack on I sat down a little bit and reflected about Human connection.
It was very challenging not seeing anybody walking on the street and not seeing anything going on. I was heartbroken by these exceptional circumstances. We never had to face anything like it before, more than 3 billions Human beings facing lockdown and restrictions. When I look back at this period, that was only 6 months I’ve been living in London. And I had very few connections in that beautiful Capital. This is when I realised how having people around you is important for health and wellbeing. People who you share the same interests and moving forward together in life.
Thrown into uncertainty
By the Summer 2020, I’ve got an opportunity for a training to be a Baker, but it didn’t go well. So I’ve completely lost any opportunities to work in that Bakery again, due to the situation and activity. I ended up jobless like many people in these chaotic times. I’ve faced uncertainty like never before, applied for jobs that were relevant for this period. I applied to many businesses for order picker roles, I wished I could work in hospitality but not very much opportunities. I had to adapt with the reality and prioritised back stage roles instead of front stage roles, that’s what I yearned and aspired for. Because I was already thinking about having my network of people here in London and expanding it.
It was scary to go through uncertainty and asking myself questions like, will I get the role I like? Will I find another job in London? Will I go back to France? If I find a new job what will it be? Decided to only focus on anything here and not going back to France to face more uncertainty. I visualised myself vividly living in London with so many friends and acquaintances… Arrived in London in 2019 with the conviction to be destined to do great things, but let’s talk about that later! I finally ended up in the company I’ve been working at for 5 years now.
Going toward the end of the tunnel
Finally my first day in the company is just before the second wave. I work in the warehouse to prepare orders. I didn’t know how long the uncertainty will last, as the amount of orders became crazier. It seemed hopeless when the Pandemic would potentially end. The worst case scenario happened when the French border had closed, and couldn’t receive any delivery from Calais. It was one of the most challenging time of my career. Finished work past midnight or 2AM almost everyday with not much time to rest. We couldn’t really see when we’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think I’ve talked about it before on a previous post, anyway I was so sad with such restriction and not being able to socialise. I was new in London.
It was almost like this during the the lockdown, until the beginning of spring when the UK government started to ease it. I started to look for new opportunities in the meantime and looking for what’s best for me. Until I had the suggestion from someone working my company that I could work in the shops. A light in my brain turned on, yes! As I know the products in working in the warehouse, that would be best for me to work in the shops. When I was asked which one, I followed my heart with intuition and I said Southfields
Southfields a new beginning
Before talking about this new beginning, I would like to mention something. Prior the change of role, a tragic event happened. My younger half brother passed away from an accident, so I had to go to France. I’ve joined my older brother to cross the whole country to go to the south of France near Perpignan. Despite the sorrow and heartbreak, I’ve heard beautiful things about his commitment and involvement at work. Not only that, I was really impressed by the level of maturity he’s gained. He was working in a restaurant on the seaside, with the beach and port nearby very much loved and appreciated by his colleagues and people.
He is an inspiration for me everyday in engaging in conversations with people and making them laugh. His commitment and hard work resonates with me as well as bringing positivity and good vibe in a group of people. He was only 18 by the way.
After the challenging times, I thought it’s time for me to change and to move forward. Before I landed in Southfields I thought it would be good to see the shop. Jumped off the tube at Southfields station on a cloudy day, and literally fell in love with the neighbourhood. Told myself this is a nice area to work in.
My trial shift was a bit nerve wracking and very exciting. It was so exciting that I immediately engaged in conversations with customers and deepened my curiosity about people. Yes, when I recall this it makes me think about coaching. Curiosity about people and going deeper gives me joy and energy. So I’ve always been a coach, but not aware of my talent. Since more than 3 years working in Southfields shop, interacting with people and making friends. Since then I know all people in the area, lol just kidding but so many familiar faces I see and people I bumped into on the street. The post Covid period started with healing with expanding connections and relationships. It was the best medication for me after a such long period of chaos and uncertainty.
3 years on, still working in the shop
Now it’s 2025 an lot lot happened since. I’ve sometime been in charge and managed team in this place, as well as doing management tasks. To be honest and transparent I had expectations to get a promotion, and my intuition tells me I’m destined to do great things with coaching and my brand. As well as delivering workshops about rituals, strengths, stress management… Also organising retreats, as an adventurer I love going out of my comfort zone exploring new places but also what’s within people. I have genuine curiosity for people and deliberately speak to people I wouldn’t in order to learn about them. Serving hundred of customers per day at the deli is always a time of focus and building relationships.
I really love that and it keeps myself healthy and living. I’ve faced many situations with people and somehow built my experience prior turning myself to coaching. Now I have experience in body language and interaction. When I think about the progress I’ve made in this field, I don’t work in Southfields for nothing.
It’s about creating momentum
I am exactly where I need to be. One thing I learnt is to never complain about your current situation. If you keep complaining and look for the next thing to blame in your life will make things worse. See the good and take the opportunity to see the good in your life and to understand yourself more. Understanding and knowing ourselves more creates momentum in our destinies. Then you will live your life of alignment. Your mindset determine your actions and commitments or behaviour. What I want to do of my life in the future is certain and vividly picture things like they are already here with me in this eternal present moment.
What uncertain is my ignorance I still have in the coaching world, where I move to but get more and more comfortable in it. I picture myself as a fulltime coach, but don’t know really what’s ahead for me. Will I have a partnership? Will I be working for an organisation? Or simply continue on my own working with clients. I don’t expect any opportunity or meeting the right person. Workshops and retreats will be one of my 2026 goals to figure it out. However what I’m sure, all these things in the list here will come true. No matter what I know deeply within my core that this life is what I’m building and will definitely come true. The momentum is in the present moment and my intuition is my compass.
As you start to walk the way appears (Rumi)
Final words and What about you?
In the end, what sustains us through uncertainty is not certainty itself, but connection. The pandemic reminded us that even in isolation, we longed for presence, warmth, and shared meaning. As we move forward, the challenge is not to eliminate uncertainty but to embrace it together with openness, compassion, and courage. Human connection is not a luxury, it’s a simple act of kindness we can give to strangers like a smile. I personally smile at strangers randomly.
How do you navigate into uncertainty?
What does uncertainty mean to you right now?
How do you contribute to creating meaningful connections around you?
What might deepen your sense of connection in your relationships or community?
Thank you very much!
