This spring, I worked almost every day at a local garden center, making $17 an hour, or just over the $15 minimum wage in Massachusetts. I didn’t make much money, but it was one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.
At the time of application, funds were insufficient. I was laid off from my position as Senior Director of Content in June 2025. This was part of a series of top-to-bottom cuts affecting dozens of positions across the organization. By January, unemployment benefits were gone. My retirement savings are almost gone. And my bill didn’t seem to care about either of those realities.
So I started applying for part-time positions while continuing to look for a full-time position in marketing and communications. I was transparent with the garden center recruiter about all of this and they were kind enough to add me to their team.
For about two months, I spent nearly nine hours outdoors, many days a week, in all weather, doing manual labor and answering customer questions about flowers, herbs, and vegetables. I was exhausted after a change I had never experienced in my previous roles, but I enjoyed every moment.
After working for a few weeks, I realized why the job meant so much to me.
1. Surrounded by plants and wild animals
New England was experiencing long, cold, snowy winters and I was tired of it. I was also tired of wasting time looking for jobs online, networking, and applying for jobs that got ghosted or rejected. Being at the garden center nourished my soul and reset my mind.
2. We must serve the people.
I’ve always loved helping others, but had never worked in retail. During my first few days on the job, I noticed that everyone who visited the garden center was happy. They came in with smiles on their faces, relieved that winter was finally over, and went home with flowers that I had helped them pick out. I was happy to sell it and send it home.
3. I regained my sense of purpose and identity.
Without work, I felt invisible. Having a job made me feel seen, useful, and purposeful again.
When I was laid off from my dream job last year, I was devastated. It felt like a mental disconnection. Organizational leaders talked about their employees as if we were one big global family, and I believed them. When I lost my job, I didn’t know who I was anymore.
Working at a garden center gave me the opportunity to return to my roots as a farmer’s daughter who loved the reward of a hard day’s work.
4. It came out of my head and entered my body.
When you’re looking for a job, the days can feel endless. I was plagued with questions for hours: am I looking in the right place? Why did they reject me? Do you need to change professions? Will you be able to get another job someday? Is there something wrong with me? It was a complete mind game.
Leslie Friday was working at a garden center and scheduled an interview on her day off.
Provided by Leslie Friday
Physical labor saved me from experiencing a never-ending whirlpool of doubts and allowed me to focus on the task at hand: watering the flowers. Unload the cargo from the truck. Inventory table. Help customers. repeat. Breathe. relax.
5. Feeling less isolated
Employment automatically creates a community, often bringing together people with similar interests and ideals. Many of my former colleagues have become good friends over the years. When my coworkers and I were fired, we weren’t allowed a proper farewell. As time went on, I felt ashamed of being unemployed and alone.
At the garden center, my new colleagues shared my interest in plants, gardening and wildlife and made me feel very welcome. I made friends, played with customers’ dogs, and got to know the regulars. I found a friend.
6. My manager was kind and considerate
I hadn’t experienced good management in years. My last bosses created a toxic work environment where people were afraid to speak up, question authority, and make mistakes.
In contrast, the garden center managers knew that I was a single mother with three school-age children. They scheduled my time as much as my co-parenting allowed and remembered the days I had to leave early for school pick-up. I will be forever grateful for their kindness and generosity.
7. I made very little money, but it didn’t matter.
My salary was modest. But after the first shift, I calculated how much I had earned and figured out which bills I could pay. I knew this job wouldn’t cover all my expenses and I would have to rely on savings to survive. Yet, somehow, I felt like that $17 hourly wage saved my life.
A new job is blooming
While working at a garden center, I had several interviews for full-time jobs in my field and scheduled them on my days off. I received a winning offer 365 days after my termination. I’m now a month into my new role as a communications director for a healthcare nonprofit, and I couldn’t be happier.
It all feels a little unrealistic. I’m surrounded by kind people and strong managers who want to help others. I work hard and have fun. And I became financially stable again. But it was never just about the money, and it still isn’t. It was about finding me again. It took a year and some great detours between flowers and new friends, but I was finally home.
And I still work at the garden center every Sunday whenever I can.
Leslie Friday is the communications director for the Max Foundation, a global health nonprofit that helps people living with cancer and rare diseases access medicines, diagnostics, and support services in more than 80 low- and middle-income countries. She is a writer, advocate, and mother of three children and an adorable mutt. She grew up on a farm in the Midwest, but now happily calls New England home.
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