Retail

Apologies... but I need to gloat for a minute. This is my first holiday season NOT in retail, in about 11 years.  As we're heading into the biggest 5 weeks in the (retail) year, the enormity of this change is sinking in. Tomorrow is my last day of work for the week, and I feel like I'm telling everyone. Many people either have time around holidays off, or have the ability to take the time off. Neither of which I've had in a very long time! So, it may seem silly but its huge to me.

Actually, if you count my very first jobs (I worked at a video shop and a music shop in high school) I've worked 15 of the last 20 years in a retail environment. Wow. Quite honestly, since I'd worked so many Black Fridays and Christmas Eves, I was used to it.  Although it didn't make me any less jealous on days like these, when I had to head into work while Brian and the girls hang at home. Not to mention how I'd start each Thanksgiving feeling wonderful and thankful, and end it each being bitter because I was the only one of the group of 20+ who had to go to work the next day.

I'm one of those people who is most productive under the gun. I like being busy, an part of me sort of enjoyed the craziness of these holidays season - the very busy days and the longer hours.  However, my shopping often fell to the wayside, and I was a zombie most of time that I was outside of work. Being a working mom has it's own challenges, but my past jobs added so much more stress than I needed. I don't think I realized until recently, how negatively my work was effecting me personally.

Anyway, this year, I kind of feel human. I got an early start on our Christmas cards, have started Christmas shopping and things are work at quiet.  Honestly, it doesn't quite feel like the holiday season to me yet. In addition to the time off this week, I have a few days off throughout December too, again - something I've never had before. The balance that this job provides is immeasurable, and this new change has literally been life changing.

So, no matter how much time you have off this week, I hope you enjoy it! This year will certainly be different for me, but I am grateful for the years in retail because that experience has made me appreciate this time off, even more. Do me a favor though - when you are shopping this year, be kind to everyone in retail!

You can bet I'll be grinning from ear to ear as I run errands, make treats for Thanksgiving, get a mani/pedi, decorate for Christmas and just eat up all the time with my family :) I.cannot.wait!

Happy Thanksgiving! Xo