Writing a New Chapter

Pantone USA is known by the design community, fashion and interior design, and color enthusiasts for highlighting color and culture. Every year they share the Pantone Color of the Year. Past years’ colors include: peach fuzz, viva magenta, very peri (or periwinkle), etc. These colors translate to warth, excitement and possibility. When I was told by a colleague in December that the 2025 color of the year is Mocha Mouse, I literally said, “the color of 2025 is poop?!? Is this Pantone’s prediction that 2025 is going to be a shit show?!?” Now, Pantone, in its description as to why brown was chosen, was because it plays on our emotions. This color choice a delectably rich color of comfort like coffee and chocolate. I’m not sure I’m picking up with what they are laying down.

So far 2025 and January, the longest month of the year, have been interesting. November through December are always a blur working in retail. This past season was no different. I attempted to interject time with loved ones, giving back activities and festive moments, while I dealt with the seasonal crud which originally hit me the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I powered through three community events supporting children: Locker #505, The Ranches and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and wrapped up two other giving events for Toys for Tots and YDI along with my daily activities of assisting my clients with their holiday needs. My annual 36-hour getaway was cancelled because I was too sick and didn’t want to stay in my hotel room when I normally to squeeze in as much holiday cheer as humanly possible. I started feeling better mid-december then I was hit with a bad respiratory virus that pretty much knocked me out from Christmas Eve through the New year with a cough that lingered for two weeks after. The upside, I had a really sexy “Phoebe” voice (if I could only sing Jazz).

Working through the illness and attempting to finish out the fiscal year achieving my annual sales goal, my store manager called me into his office last week. As I walked, he asked me to close the door behind me. I knew in that instant what our conversation was about. He informed me that the Personal Stylist positions at a dozen small-sized stores were being eliminated. He told me with tears in his eyes. It was a shock, but was it totally unexpected, not in this day and age. I work in the retail sector but I was hired as an executive so I was paid well (again for the retail sector). Corporate didn’t see what I did beyond sales. I went through the day and told a few close friends at work, my bestie and kids. I had started the conversation with a dear friend about going to Nice for Carnival and we were to meet that evening to discuss details. I ended up canceling our conversation. The day seemed to tick backwards, until at 4pm I decided I would go home and text my clients the news.

Over the course of 2 hours, I sent over 350 text messages and sent several emails to community partners since I already had events planned for the first quarter. I cried when I read the responses. It brought me so much joy to have a community that truly appreciated what I did and cared for me. I’ve said this before that I hated the sales goals, but I LOVED the connection I made in helping friends and clients who became friends and anyone, even if they shopped with me one time. I truly felt I was a part of their special events, even if only in a small way. I LOVED all the community work we were able to accomplish inside the store and outside in the greater Albuquerque community–something that drove this home, happened when I was informed a few days later that the non-profit we supported for our Bag Hunger campaign would be receiving a grant of $1,000 because the team volunteered 100 hours over 2024 (and if you haven’t worked retail, you have no idea how hard it is to schedule these events, but there are so many team members that support and enjoy getting out in the community that anything is possible). I LOVED the story-telling I did whether in classrooms talking about what I do and career options in retail/fashion or on tv, radio or in podcasts sharing the latest trends. I LOVED that I got to serve as a regional Stylist champion, helping to mentor newly hired Stylists to help them excel in their roles. And I LOVED that I lead employee development through the colleague resource group which is designed to promote intercultural dialogue and respect for diversity, equity and inclusion, because whether or not the president thinks its important, making sure everyone has a voice and seat at the table is my world.

I did this work for almost 6 years. I was recruited for this position off of LinkedIn (time to make sure it’s up-to-date). I don’t know about you, but it’s quite a lovely feeling to be recruited and showing that “yes indeed this position was made for you” vs. having to put yourself out there hoping you’ll find your people (maybe that’s the reason why I don’t do dating apps–bahaha). When the current store manager came on board, he hadn’t worked with a Personal Stylist in his past stores, so he had no idea what I did and we were in the middle of a pandemic. I showed him and he was my biggest supporter in doing all the above and beyond that I loved to do. That night, I let all these things sit me and in the morning, I was not angry. I was not shocked. I was not sad. I was grateful. I was grateful for all the work and life and love I had put into this role.

I went into work the next day and because several colleagues were also clients, word began to spread. Several stopped me in disbelief and shared their kinds words. One of my favorite people, Michelle, told me she had no words because she was still processing. She did ask who she was going to volunteer with when I’m gone. I informed her she knew where to go to volunteer and for her to call me because I would happily join her. I also mentioned that I had planned weeks before to volunteer at Locker #505 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and invited her to join me. Because all of the uncertainty not only in my life but in the country, I thought the best was to commemorate the day would be in service. She said she wanted to join me. This wasn’t a Macy’s planned event only for me and I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived and found another colleague, Verda, had joined us because it was mentioned in passing by Michelle that we were going. We worked side-by-side sorting clothes and asking each other if I was a high school student would I wear this or that, as we had done over several years. I was grateful for the opportunity to give back. The past week was draining not only because of the recent news but also because of the devastating fires in Los Angeles which weighed heavily on me. I had made donations to a few non-profits but I always feel like I do more when I can volunteer in the community. I headed into work after volunteering, and was pleasantly surprised by the number of friends that came in to shop.

The next two days, I was off for prep and a colonoscopy. Yep, cherry on top this month was a colonoscopy. I had scheduled it months before, and I guess I’m glad I did. Really, it wasn’t as bad as people make it sound plus after said event, I got to grab lunch with Isaiah. Since receiving my notice, I made sure to book my eye exam, and I asked my oncologist office to place a refill order for tamoxifen, even though they placed a 90-day refill last month. The funny thing about it is that I’ve learned there is no one set price for my prescription. If the doctor calls the refill into the pharmacy, my insurance co-pay is $25. But I also found out a few months ago that it’s also set up on auto refill, so if I go that route without the doctor calling it in, it’s $90 with insurance. However, if I don’t use insurance but instead use Good RX it’s $80. I got a call back from the pharmacy and there’s a delay with my insurance so the retail price would be $200. Sometimes I wish we had socialized healthcare.

Since Wednesday, I’ve been updating my resume (thank you Amanda and Laura for taking a look at it) and following up into leads. It’s daunting. I get triggered by “may work weekends”. I want to know all about the health insurance provided and paid time off. If a posting doesn’t include salary information, I don’t look at it. There is one position that I applied for that I was intrigued by, but I tend to do better when I go into it with a laissez faire attitude so I am chillin and trying not to get to excited by it. I think I’ve paid my fair share in dues, so I would love to be able to coast through the next chapter in life. I had a conversation a couple of nights ago with a friend and he made the comment telling me that I’m strong, I overcame cancer. I know I’m resilient–“one door closes another opens”. But honestly I’d prefer not having to overcome another obstacle. Yet, here I am, and then I get mad at myself. I try to reminding myself, that I have a roof over my head, I have good health, I able to work and I’ve got mad skillz. I have friends that have also been laid-off, so again I remind myself that you aren’t unique in this experience. Talking to myself this way keeps me away from the edge of depression.

I will miss all the things I noted before about what I loved in my role. I will miss so many of my colleagues. I won’t miss working holidays and Saturdays (sometimes Sundays). I look forward being able to travel for more than 36 hours in December and figuring out what I want to do when I grow up. But I really hope the remainder of the year is kinder and not just for me but everyone. We are living in uncertain times.

My last day at Macy’s Coronado is Saturday, February 1st. Come by and see me. Stay tuned for my next chapter.

With love and light,
Dara Sophia Romero