The Sunflower and The Cashier

In my adult life, I have spent most of it as a cashier in some form. Even when I worked at a pizza place and as a barista, I did cashier duties as well. Yesterday, I had a conversation with my boyfriend’s dad about feeling behind sometimes because I work with a lot of high schoolers and older women who have already had careers before working where we are. There are only a few others my age and most of them are managers of other departments.

During the conversation with his dad, his dad told me about his sister who was a cashier for 30 years and loved it. I remember being a kid and playing cashier as one of my favourite playtime activities. Now, I look at it as foreshadowing for my adult life. I too love being a cashier. If I worked enough hours to at least cover rent, I would feel a bit better. Right now, working 28 hours a week works for me. I have steadily been increasing the number of hours I work and have already been far more reliable than when I first started.

One of the best jobs I had was when I was a full-time cashier supervisor at a different store. The only reason I left was because I was finishing up school and wanted to work in my field, I was also comparing myself too much to the people I went to high school with. My best friend was already making about three times as much as me. What I’ve come to learn, is that if you can get by in life and have a bit of money for treats, life is pretty great. I don’t need anything extravagant in life and have simple taste.

I found I spent way beyond my means when I was making more money and was trying to keep up with the Joneses a few years back. That only left me broke and feeling spiritually bankrupt as well.

I do wish there were some more coworkers my age that I could connect with. When I worked in the social services, a large portion of my friends came from work. Today, many of my friends are women I’ve met other ways.