From Rehab to Retail: How Coffee Fueled My Comeback at Abercrombie & Fitch
cbr, 2022 - #nowplaying - Hot In It (Feat. Charli XCX) - Tiesto
Hey there, fellow seekers of truth and meaning! Let’s talk about life after rehab - but not in the way you might expect. This is a story about coffee, comebacks, and finding joy in the unexpected places of a retail job.
Struggle is Real (But So Is Hope)
Fresh out of rehab, I landed a management gig at Abercrombie & Fitch. Let’s be real - it wasn’t exactly where I pictured myself, but it was a start. A new chapter. A chance to prove to myself (and yeah, maybe to others too) that I could do this whole “responsible adult” thing.
But here’s the kicker - every single day, before my shift, I’d stop for a cup of coffee. And let me tell you, it wasn’t in the budget. Not even close.
Why Coffee? It’s More Than Just Caffeine
You might be thinking, “Girl, why are you blowing your limited funds on overpriced bean juice?” Fair question. But here’s the thing - it wasn’t just about the caffeine kick (though let’s be honest, that helped). It was about so much more:
Ritual and Routine: In a life that had been chaotic for so long, this simple act was grounding. It was my way of saying, “Hey, I’ve got this. I’m showing up for myself today.”
A Moment of Luxury: Coming from rehab, where every minute was structured and basic, that cup of coffee felt like pure indulgence. It was my way of treating myself, of acknowledging that I deserved good things.
Energy, Sure - But Also Attitude: That coffee didn’t just wake me up physically. It shifted my mental state. With each sip, I felt more ready to tackle whatever the day threw at me.
Connection to the “Normal” World: Standing in line at the coffee shop, I felt like part of society again. Not an outsider, not someone with a “past,” but just another person starting their day.
Turning Retail into a Rave
So there I’d be, striding into A&F, coffee in hand, ready to make magic happen on the sales floor. And you know what? It worked. That coffee transformed me. Suddenly, folding endless piles of denim wasn’t a chore - it was a chance to create the perfect display. Helping customers wasn’t just a job - it was an opportunity to make someone’s day a little brighter.
I started treating the sales floor like my own personal nightclub. Music pumping, energy high, connecting with people left and right. It wasn’t just work anymore - it was fun. It was life.
The Lesson? Joy is Where You Find It
Looking back, I realize something profound. That daily coffee splurge? It wasn’t just about the drink. It was about choosing joy. It was about investing in myself, my mental health, my future.
To my fellow recovery warriors out there: Your journey is your own. Maybe for you, it’s not coffee. Maybe it’s a morning run, or a few minutes of meditation, or belting out your favorite song in the car. Whatever it is, find that thing that lights you up, that makes you feel alive and ready to face the world.
Because here’s the truth - your worth isn’t determined by your past. You are valuable, loved, and worthy - exactly as you are right now. Those moments when you feel small? They’re lies. Those times when you doubt yourself? They’re illusions.
You are allowed to grow, to change, to become. You’re allowed to find joy in the small things, to turn mundane jobs into adventures, to dance through life even when (especially when) it feels hard.
So here’s to coffee, to comebacks, and to creating magic wherever we find ourselves. Stay curious. Stay humble. Stay connected. And remember - your next chapter might just be your best one yet.
-Mitchell Royel