Postcard No.6
Learning to be an innkeeper
I’d never worked at a bed and breakfast before becoming an innkeeper.
A week before I was set to open in 2022, I had a meltdown. It *finally* dawned on me that strangers were going to be sleeping in my house. I ping ponged between the thoughts of how did I convince my family into letting me do this and why did no one talk me out of this?
A week later, when it came time to play innkeeper, I didn’t know how to act, how to be. I didn’t have anyone to show me the ropes, or train me like any other job I’d had in the past. I was scared. What if people are mean? What if people don’t like me? What if they hate the house and the decor?
Unsure of how to act, I resorted to being the most polished, professional version of myself humanly possible. I thought, don’t bother the guests, don’t be weird, don’t linger, answer their questions and leave them be.
I think the stiff professional disposition was actually a self preservation tool. Hyper preparedness so that no one could have anything bad to say about me or the house, while also mentally preparing myself each time a guest booked for harsh criticism, and all in all mean people, but each time, I was receiving quite the opposite.
Guests actually enjoyed the house and her charm. Guests also wanted to get to know me and the story of how the inn came to be (woah!). While some guests prefer to be left alone, I didn’t realize most of them stay at the inn to meet other people, including the innkeeper (double woah!).
After a few months, I started to change my approach and take guests up on their offers to sit by the fire and chat, join them for breakfast, and enjoy a cup of coffee with them. A whole new world of hospitality came to be for me. Embracing the warmth and kindness of guests was such a nice change in pace from my inner critic’s vicious cycle of “they hate me!” and “they hate the inn!”.
My guests have been one in a million. I’ve simultaneously gained friends from all corners of the planet and restored my faith in humanity. A beautiful reminder that there are good people everywhere, and to not assume the worst in everything.
Guests have brought books, cookies, candies and presents to share. They’ve mailed the inn hand written cards, letters and cookbooks. Guests have exchanged stories for glasses of wine while sitting in the screened porch, and other guests have even stayed up until almost 3 am talking about life with me. All the things my anxious inner critic could’ve never imagined possible for an innkeeper.
Just the other day, 2 guests who stayed at the inn twice last summer called me to check in on me. When I last saw them, we sat by the bonfire in the backyard for the evening, and were remarking that it felt like we had all known each other since forever. During our phone call, they caught me up on their autumnal travels and upcoming plans this summer. We talked about the cherry blossoms and photography, and then bid adieu. It was heartwarming to hear from them.
I’m not alone in saying this winter felt exceptionally tough. So, let this postcard be your casual Friday reminder that there is still an abundance of good and kind people left in the world, to not assume the worst, and spring is actually 4 days away.
PS. if you’re looking for something fun to look forward to in April, the inn is hosting a finger knitting workshop on April 10th, from 5-8 pm. All supplies included.
