Retail Is a Bitch. But It's My Bitch

Sorry for the vulgarity.  There's no other way to put it.

The sprint that is the close to the 2012 retail year is coming to an end.  National Free Shipping day will be Monday, December 17 and after that point, the big stuff that is our year is basically over and the team can breathe again.

But it has been a hard haul.  Incredibly long days.  Incredibly difficult circumstances.  Incredibly intense competitive and economic pressures.  And the constant, constant pull to do clean out just a couple more emails, check financials and site metrics, and otherwise be "on."

The net result is I'm exhausted, and I'm not the only one - I'm confident that my entire team feels the same way.  A couple of impending non-pressure days are clearly marked on everybody's calendar.

Please don't misinterpret: I do love my job, my company, and most of all, my team.  I know that in this environment I'm damn lucky to have them.  However, in my sleep deprived state, being appropriately clear-minded enough to recognize how good I have it can be tough.

Retail is not for everyone.  It is long hours, missed friends and family, high stress, no free time and a never ending grind (we've already begun work on Black Friday 2013). 

And like a guy stuck in a really sick, dysfunctional relationship, I love it and I can't do much about it.