The Time I Ran Out of Anthropologie Crying

Wooden Bookcase | Rug | Light Fixture | Faucet | Bowl Sink | Tree | Floor Lamp | Decorative Bowl | Chair | Pillow | Glasses | Artwork | Rattan Desk Chair

During the summer of 2005, I was a newly-married, newly-graduated, newly-moved twenty-year-old who was pretty terrified at all the changes and transitions in her life. 

Nick and I had hustled to graduate college early, gotten married, and moved back to the city we grew up in to help plant a church with some * new * friends we’d just met. I don’t mind telling you I didn’t yet understand the value of therapy and/or journaling - so I wasn’t great at processing in those days. 

I’d gotten a job at Anthropologie, initially as a sales gal, and on my first day (!!!), got a promotion to manager. I’m not sure if it was God’s favor or someone had just left them in the lurch - but I was thrilled. About a year later, I was in charge of most of the store’s visual displays - and while I LOVED IT, I wasn’t excellent at handling the creative pressure. 

Remember - no processing, just a lot of overwhelm. 

One day, the store manager gave me the visual thumbs-down sign while I was working on a project (literally, that’s it - just the thumbs-down gesture). I responded by… making a plan to quit. Was that reckless? Yes! Was it irresponsible? Yes! Did it put our new family in a bad financial place? You betcha! 

Do I wish I had learned sooner in life to talk out my stress and make sense of the pressure I was feeling? Oh yeah. 

What does that have to do with today’s links for ladies' post? 

You may remember from past emails that this summer, I find myself in the thick of renovating TWO spaces: our home and the future Go and Tell Gals office. 

Does it feel like a huge privilege? YES. Am I so incredibly grateful for the opportunity? Oh yeah. Have I had a few Anthropologie nightmares where I picture my old boss holding up a larger-than-life thumbs down? Maybe! 

For this Friday’s Links for Ladies email (reminder: all affiliate fees go towards the Go + Tell Gals coaching scholarship fund), I’m sharing all my favorite recent furniture + decor finds. 

Please enjoy these links + in the name of Jesus, do not send me a thumbs-down reply. I beg you.

Jess