19 years

Writing that down actually feels quite emotional.

When I first walked into retail all those years ago, I had absolutely no idea how much of my life would be spent there. I thought I was starting a job. I didn’t realise I was beginning a journey that would become such a huge part of who I am.

I’ve grown up while working in retail.

The person who walked through those doors over 19 years ago isn’t the same person writing this today.

Life has changed me. Work has changed me. The people I’ve met have changed me.

And when I look back, I realise just how many chapters of my life have happened while I’ve been wearing a uniform and turning up for another shift.

I’ve Turned Up Through Life

There have been days when I’ve walked into work feeling on top of the world.

And there have been days when simply walking through those doors and putting a smile on my face has taken everything I had.

I’ve gone to work while things in my personal life were difficult. I’ve smiled at customers when inside I didn’t particularly feel like smiling. I’ve carried on with my shift when my mind was somewhere completely different.

There have been times when work has actually been the distraction I’ve needed.

A laugh with a colleague.

Someone asking, “Are you okay?” and genuinely meaning it.

A silly conversation that made me forget everything else for five minutes.

Those moments might seem small, but sometimes the smallest moments mean the most.

The People I’ll Never Forget

After 19 years, you meet a lot of people.

Some people come into your working life for a few months. Others stay for years. Some move on and you lose touch. And then there are those special people who somehow go from being someone you work with to someone you genuinely care about.

I’ve made friendships through retail that I never expected to make.

We’ve laughed together, complained together, celebrated together and supported one another through things happening outside of work.

We’ve had those moments where one look across the shop floor tells you exactly what the other person is thinking.

We’ve had conversations that have stayed with me.

We’ve picked each other up on bad days.

And we’ve created memories without even realising we were creating them.

Some people may have left the workplace, but they haven’t left my memories.

It Hasn’t Always Been Easy

There have been moments over these 19 years that have tested me.

There have been times I’ve questioned whether I could keep going.

I’ve experienced difficult days, changes, disappointments and situations that have knocked my confidence.

There have probably been shifts where I’ve gone home and cried.

But I’ve always come back.

And when I think about that now, I realise there’s something quite powerful about it.

I kept going.

Even during the chapters of my life when things weren’t easy, I kept showing up.

Maybe I didn’t always feel strong at the time, but looking back, I can see how strong I actually was.

So Much Life Has Happened

When you’ve worked somewhere for this long, you realise you’re not only counting years of employment.

You’re counting years of your life.

Birthdays have come and gone.

Christmases have been worked.

Friendships have started.

People have come and gone.

I’ve celebrated good news and dealt with difficult times.

I’ve grown older, learnt more about myself and changed as a person.

And somehow, through all of those different versions of me, retail has always been there in the background.

That’s why it could never be “just a job” to me.

It’s been part of my life.

To the Younger Me…

If I could speak to the younger version of myself walking into retail for the first time, I’d probably tell her:

You have absolutely no idea what’s ahead of you.

You’re going to meet people who make you laugh until you cry.

You’re going to have shifts you’ll want to forget and moments you’ll remember forever.

You’re going to have days where you doubt yourself.

But you’re also going to discover just how much you can handle.

You’re going to grow.

You’re going to become stronger.

You’re going to find your voice.

And you’re going to meet people along the way who leave little footprints on your life.

Most importantly, you’re going to keep going.

19 Years Later ❤️

So when somebody asks me how long I’ve worked in retail and I say “over 19 years,” they’re hearing a number.

But I see so much more.

I see the younger me starting out.

I see thousands of shifts.

I see friendships.

I see laughter.

I see difficult days I thought I’d never get through.

I see people who aren’t part of my everyday life anymore but who will always be part of my memories.

I see how much I’ve grown.

And I see a person who, despite everything life has thrown at her, has continued to get up and keep going.

19 years isn’t just how long I’ve worked in retail.

It’s 19 years of my life.

19 years of growing.

19 years of learning.

19 years of memories.

19 years of people.

19 years of laughter, tears, challenges and friendships.

And although I don’t know exactly what the next chapter will look like, I know one thing:

I’m proud of the person I’ve become along the way. ❤️