It is done! As of today, I am no longer a retail grunt. Two years to the day since I started, I no longer have to work at Costco. I no longer have to get up at four in the morning. I no longer have to push carts in the soggy snow. I no longer have to deal with people’s vacation messing with my availability. I am free.

Yeah, I might be excited.

I felt good on my way out. I didn’t go out of my way to burn any bridges, so I got a lot of “good luck” and “it was a pleasure working with you.” Even from some of the managers! I also got some “don’t be a stranger” and “come see us every once in a while.” I tried to be polite and make noncommittal noises, because yeah, I’m not exactly eager to relive that feeling any time soon.

Costco wasn’t a bad company to work for. As far as retail goes, I can actually recommend it. However, I just didn’t want to spend my life in retail. If I had started younger, arranged my life around the nights/weekends, maybe it would have been different. But not with the life I’ve made for myself.

So yeah. My two years of retail servitude wasn’t as bad as it could have been. It definitely made me appreciate the work people do more. I’ve said everyone should work retail (or something similar) at least once, just to appreciate the workers. So I have. And I do. And now I’m ready to be done.

It’s no secret I’ve been unhappy in my job for a long time. And while I know this new job will not be perfect, I can’t help but hope it will be better. And at least I’ll be using my degree, and working more normal office hours. That has to count for a lot.

So long, Costco, and thanks for all the fish.