And I’m Learning To Be Okay With That
“Work To Do”
Since I was 15, I have always worked a job (or two). My first one was as a cashier at an ice skating rink souvenir shop. It was none too exciting but I earned a paycheck and that felt really good. I can’t recall even one item that I bought with my minimum wages but I clearly remember the feeling of independence I experienced. I was (and remain) an almost ridiculously serious person. I worked hard at working because I felt it was an important part of my identity. And I still do…a bit too much.
After my stint at the souvenir shop, I worked at a couple of Starbucks in the city before transitioning to the somewhat redundant work of retail clothing sales. I landed at a job at Express, and later, at a brand new swanky J. Crew in Soho. I often spent most of my paycheck on the very items I worked to sell. But at least I looked good doing so. As a beginner adult, I was starting to realize the extent to which work opportunities and advantages were linked to how you appeared and who you knew. But it didn’t matter that much to me because my real job was being a student and that part of my identity overshadowed my role as an employee. It was my main job. And yes, I took it very very seriously.
