I have always struggled with anxiety. My anxiety would overwhelm my daily life. I wasn't able to function. This affected me in more ways than imaginable and when it was time to get my first job, the process was unbearable. First jobs are both exciting and nerve-wracking. My first job was in retail. Going in, this was just a temporary thing. I was a seasonal worker, just looking for a job during my school's winter break. The assistant manager was the one who had interviewed me. She had bright blue hair and I wasn't too sure what to expect at all. As the interview went on, we had a lot in common and she was one of the brightest, kindest people I've ever met. Day 1: Orientation day. It was me and a co-worker, both on our first days. Filled with anxiety and thrilled to begin, I did not see the assistant manager that day and I felt uneasy. As the day went on, I met most of the staff and the leading manager. They were all beyond welcoming.

At the end of my winter break, it was time to return to school and leaving my last shift, tears were shed. Here I am, six months later, returning to this store as often as possible with a gigantic smile on my face. My days of retail turned into months of pure admiration.This little retail job became my happy place.

In just a few short months, my manager taught me a lot about fixtures and how to build walls. She taught me how to use a register and that going on a "garbage run" wasn't just putting new trash bags in the cans. Did you know that the employees actually go outside to take out the trash? I always thought someone came and did that. She also taught me how to properly sweep a floor, and how to interact with people, regardless of how difficult they may be. Most importantly, my manager taught me how to be myself. She taught me that it's okay to make mistakes, just learn from them. I learned about family, and that not everyone is going to be your best friend, but to appreciate everyone who's been there. People really do come and go. This woman had just entered my life, yet she made such a huge impact. This person had been in my life for just six short months, yet she was a mother to me. I even call my mom on a daily. Who knew that having a mother-daughter relationship with your manager was even possible?

At first, the assistant manager was an intimidating person. Regardless, she had such shining qualities, I aspired to be just like her. She taught me how to properly set up displays; disarm and change mannequins; and the proper use of a lock. Better yet, she taught me about trust. Opening up to people did not come easily to me. Yet, I was able to open up to her and learn from her experiences. She taught me about independence; not the kind where I believe I can do everything on my own, but the kind where I will be okay when I’m on my own. She pushed me to believe I'm myself because she believed in me. She became a big sister to me, one that I've always wanted.

These people became the most influential and important women in my life. They are inspiration stories of hardship and difficulty. They have overcome such difficult periods of their lives and blossomed into amazing, caring, strong, beautiful, independent women.They're my ohana. They helped me overcome the depth of my anxiety. For the first time, I can actually breathe. So you see, those retail jobs may not be forever. But those short months you’ve spent working there will teach you more than you can you ever imagine possible, about the job itself and you. Retail is so much more than just a job, it’s a learning experience, that leaves you with incredible, outstanding results.