Disappointment at work...
what's so wrong with a little retail therapy?
If you want to jump straight to the shopping, you can scroll down, or jump directly to the links here!
Recently, I experienced a pretty big disappointment at work. A much-anticipated company change did not have the impact that I was expecting and looking forward to. I’m coming out of several workweeks filled with a myriad of last-minute meetings, supporting team members through change while managing the change for myself, trying to provide appropriate feedback to our leadership team, and asking, thinking about, and fielding a lot of questions.
It’s definitely not the first time I’ve experienced disappointment at work, obviously, this is part of having a job. And, it certainly won’t be the last. But, it’s the first time in a while I’ve experienced something of this magnitude. Adding to the complexity is the transition to doing more in-person work activities. On the one hand, it is wonderful to see more people and to resume activities that used to feel routine and normal. On the other hand, it’s a huge change in routine, has left me questioning what type of outside-work activities I actually get anything out of, and requires a level of coordination that I haven’t had to deal with in over two years, especially now with two kids in the mix. This combination has left me tired, a little bit depleted, and in a bit of a funk. Always fun to have an existential crisis that leaves you questioning your entire career, professional choices, and what’s next, amiright?
Hopefully, it goes without saying, that the fact that this is my issue-du-jour and how privileged I am is not lost on me. What I am experiencing is a mere blip in the path, and I am very aware of the life disruption, violence, atrocities, and chaos that is unfolding in other parts of the world, and across our own country.
Despite having good and healthy perspective on how lucky I am, it doesn’t change the fact that I have been feeling a little bit down. If I’ve learned anything from parenting a toddler it’s that all feelings are valid and I am allowed to experience any emotion that might come my way. Big, small, an overreaction…whatever…it doesn’t matter.
In these past two years I have had many moments of sadness/funks, as well as many moments of pure happiness, and honestly, a lot of just in-the-middle. A couple weeks ago, if you had asked me, I would have said I had already spent a lot of time reflecting on things I’d learned and perspectives that had shifted for me over the course of the pandemic. Especially when we thought there would be a return to the office in Spring/Summer 2021, I spent a lot of time evaluating what still mattered and didn’t matter to me, what was/wasn’t important, specifically in the professional realm.
Now, nearly a year later, I am somehow in yet another period of reflection and assessment— maybe as the world actually is starting to open up again. And only semi-ironically asking myself, ‘Is this just what it means to be an adult?’
Part of feeling down right now is a direct reflection of what has been going on at work that is leaving me feeling tired and frustrated. But it’s more than just this event, which which is a contributing factor but not the sole fact. It’s more about being a (yet another) reminder that work is just work. And, as the world is opening up and some people are finding energy and excitement from the idea of going into the office regularly and having work happy hours, dinners and other events, I am realizing that these are not things I am that excited by. I’m actually pretty depleted by them. From time-to-time, 100%, yes. Great. The team I work with is great and I am happy to see them in person! But, every couple weeks, every month…that might be more than makes sense for me. Just a little new perspective that I’m starting to get clearer on.
Why I can’t just be excited about the fact that we might actually BE in the light at the end of the tunnel. Why another period of reflection? Why am I feeling confused about work, my relationship with work, and, most importantly, why is this series of events at work bothering me so much? The short answer is, it actually is a pretty big deal, so it seems pretty normal that it will take me a while to move through it.
The long answer is…I hate feeling disappointed, and I hate feeling blah. It’s my normal reaction to rush through that feeling and immediately want to “fix” it, or feel better. But, I also know that moving on immediately isn’t always possible. In this case, the only way out is through, so I have to allow myself to feel whatever I am feeling, and do some thinking and assessment along the way. Unfortunately for me, I’m not in a position where I can just let myself be a slug and lie on the couch for several days feeling sorry for myself. Although, honestly, that does sound pretty incredible. Instead, I have a “bag of tricks” that I pull from when I’m down and want to make myself feel a little better, or at least be functional.
Going for a run or a walk, taking a break to read or listen to my audio book for a little while, making a perfect iced coffee (or going out to get one!), putting my face in the sunshine, cleaning or organizing a small part of my house, making a perfectly clear, written to-do list, hugging my kids, watching a funny video of my kids, putting on makeup, getting dressed in an outfit that makes me feel great…these are all parts of my bag of tricks to get through these moments. Even if they don’t “snap me out of it,” they usually make me feel better enough to keep going. And when they don’t, sometimes I also drink a giant margarita and force my husband to order in a disgusting amount of Chinese food with me.
And of course, shopping. I love to shop, and even though it might not always seem that way, I am a very responsible shopper!! It’s also something that I have gotten a lot of shit about and seen others get a lot of shit about. I don’t totally understand that considering the fashion industry is the 4th biggest sector in the world with a value equivalent to 3 trillion dollars. In other words, fashion matters.
Whatever. I love looking at clothes, I love thinking about what I’m going to wear, or seeing something and thinking about where I would wear it. I love shopping for my kids, I love helping my husband find things and I love helping my friends find great pieces. My husband dedicates hours of his week August - December playing FAKE football, so, please, no one come at me about my shopping habit.
For me, there is nothing better than a little retail therapy. Obviously, done responsibility (eg: fitting into my/my family’s budget). But, like, honestly, opening a package to find something that makes you feel amazing when you wear it…that is a BIG joy that I will stand behind.
So, today, just a bunch of things that I discovered during my retail therapy sessions over this past week that make me happy!
Floral button up dress / 2. Doen Embroidered Dress / 3. Bow Tie Swimsuit / 4. Alex Mill Jumpsuit / 5. Floral Silk Midi Dress / 6. Celestia Floral Print Dress / 7. Linen Strappy Dress / 8. Tank Jersey Dress / 9. Nico Cardigan / 10. Black sandals / 11. Reformation Dress / 12. Printed Trousers / 13. Platform Sandals / 14. Side Slit Silk Skirt / 15. Hunter Bell Mini Dress / 16. Saloni Floral Dress / 17. Suede block heel shoe / 18. Coco Shop Skirt
Floral button up dress - Right now, I want floral everything. A sure sign of spring! This dress is really sweet. I really like everything And Other Stories is doing right now!
Doen Embroidered Dress - I don’t have anything from Doen but I have admired many of their pieces. I am looking for a dress to wear for family photos in May, and I think this is one of the top contenders!
Bow Tie Swimsuit - A happy, bright pop of color in a simple, but classic swimsuit!
Alex Mill Jumpsuit - I am not entirely sure I could pull this off, or that I would wear it enough, but I really love this. In my mind, I could wear this every weekend - perfect for running around with my kids, or out to a quick lunch or coffee.
Floral Silk Midi Dress - Another blue and white number that I cannot possibly resist. It is my absolute favorite and this looks so incredibly flattering. But I need an occasion to get a new dress for…if anyone needs a guest, LMK.
Celestia Floral Print Dress - Divine. This is such a beautiful dress.
Linen Strappy Dress - Another really nice looking LBD, at a better price point than the La Ligne dress.
Tank Jersey Dress - The perfect, timeless black dress. If only I had an occasion in the next 6 months that I could wear this dress to, it would be mind…invite me somewhere to give me an excuse!!!
Nico Cardigan - Alex Mill makes incredible sweaters. I have one of the back-button ones in a stripe, and am dying to add a solid to my collection!
Black sandals - I have been searching for a simple pair of strappy black sandals that I can wear everyday/with everything. These are some of the best I’ve seen so far!
Reformation Dress - UGH. I need an occasion. Can I wear this out to dinner?
Printed Trousers - These are almost completely sold out, and it makes sense. But they look so fun for spring and could work for a casual office setting in addition to being worn just day-to-day or out for a date!
Platform Sandals - I have absolutely no where to wear these, and I basically never wear heels on a random day anymore, but I love these! They would look so good with basically any dress this summer and the chunky heel is good for any outdoor events!
Side Slit Silk Skirt - I have been searching for a silk midi skirt for awhile and have not had any luck, but I really love the look of this one, and the print feels amazing for spring and summer!
Hunter Bell Mini Dress - This dress is definitely aspirational. I don’t have enough occasions to wear it for to rationalize the price, and I don’t wear short dresses very often. But, this is perfection and I love anything green right now so so so much.
Saloni Floral Dress - This dress just makes me smile!
Suede block heel shoe - Such a sweet spring shoe in a very reasonable heel.
Coco Shop Skirt - I am dying for a skirt like this. This is out of my budget for something that I want to try out, and don’t have something specific to wear it to, but I love Coco Shop…literally everything they do is a dream, but, this is making me so happy! Also, absolutely adore this same skirt in this color-way.