That cover image you see was me 6 months ago. I couldn't wait to close the store so that I could go home and rest from a terrible day at work. Now, everything has changed.

I started my retail career at age 16. I worked my way up from sales associate to a management position at two stores by the time I was 18. I finally quit 5 years later after work 30+ hour weeks, with the weirdest shift times, and the most demanding clientele, and my mental health blossomed.

I never realized how much I had put my mental health through the wringer when I clocked into work every day. I worked long days and into the night, sometimes only getting a few hours of sleep before needing to go and open the store the next day. The demands of the job were grueling and I was overworked, overspent, and underpaid for the labor I was putting in.

Retail is not helping people find sizes, when you are management, you are dealing with training, cashier issues, customer complaints, keeping the store clean, and keeping a smile on your face. I often dreaded going into work because I had no idea what the day would hold for me. I battled anxiety and had to completely cover it to save face in front of my coworkers and my customers.

While terrible customers really only occur about once a month, their words can stick with you for much longer. Over a year ago, a woman made comments about my size and weight, implying that I starve myself, while at the same time asking what size I wear because her daughter was the same size. I've seen customers cuss out 16 year-olds because of issues that are not even in their control. I've witnessed security escorting violent customers out while videotaping and cussing out my store manager. These are not normal workplace conditions. No one should have to deal with these types of occurrences regularly, or at all.

I was fortunate enough to find a job in the field I am pursuing my degree in and was able to leave my retail job in the past. And I really hope I will never have to go back to a job in retail. Retail has given me a thick skin, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to deal with conflict, but at a cost. My mental health suffered and my anxiety was able to flourish due to the environment I was putting myself in.

I couldn't help but smile when I realized that I will never have to work a Thanksgiving season, Thanksgiving day, or Black Friday ever again. To those of you who are in retail, I wish you the best of luck this holiday season; don't neglect your mental health.