I made the change from working in fast food to retail about a month ago. I had done my time with greasy foods and aprons and was ready for a new direction. I heard some negative talk about working in retail, but I tried to look past those comments because I knew I could never make it as a waitress or anything like that. My job options were limited.

I was hired at Forever 21, which is one of my favorite clothing stores. I was excited for the change of scenery, time and a half on Sundays, and I was even excited for the music that would be playing in the store.

By the end of my first shift, I knew my shopping days would never quite be the same. Working in retail, you notice things you would never have when being the shopper.

I was baffled by how many clothing items I never bothered to look at while shopping. Some of the best articles of clothing are the ones you have to shuffle through to find, the ones that aren’t part of a set, so it doesn’t catch your eye as quickly. I came to the realization I was a lazy shopper. I only devoted my time to the clothes that were at the front of the rack that were easily accessible. I am glad I have finally seen the truth.

Patience is key! To anyone reading this article, I encourage you to actually look through the racks. I guarantee, you will have a much more successful shopping endeavor.

Another way working in retail has changed my shopping experience is that I am going to be a much more careful shopper. I will admit, I was one of those people who would pick up a shirt, then realize I didn’t want it, so I would leave it on a random rack. If you are going to be a culprit of this act, at least make sure the clothing is actually on the hanger. Maybe it’s because when I’m working I spend a good amount of time readjusting clothes on hangers, but If I’m looking at clothes and a shirt falls off the hanger, I am going to put it back on the hanger because I know how time-consuming it is to fix all the clothes after a rush in the store. Most of these actions have become habit through muscle memory. I don’t expect people who haven’t worked in retail to go around picking up clothes off the floor, but I know that even if I am off the clock, I probably will. After working in a clothing store, it's very hard to resist organizing the clothes, even if it's not your store.

A huge part of clothing stores is the fitting room. I am now much more conscious of the rules of the fitting room, so I try to refrain from bringing in more than the allowed six articles of clothing.

My sister also works in retail. One time, before I had started working in retail, we were shopping and I did not have a good run with any of the clothes I had tried on. My sister made me put back every article of clothing I had in my hand, instead of taking the easy way out and handing it to the person working the fitting room who already had enough to worry about.

I now have a newfound respect for retail workers everywhere. Also, yes, my shopping experiences from here on out will never be the same, but I believe it has only gotten better.