This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Leslie Friday, 48, a marketing and communications professional who found a “bridge job” at a garden center after getting laid off. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I know everyone says this, but I really didn’t see it coming.
After a decade at the same company, I was laid off. I was in complete shock. I thought I was a key part of the team, was about to start a sabbatical, and, more importantly, my identity was completely intertwined with my job — until it came crashing down.
At first, I didn’t think the job market would be that bad. I’d spent 10 years as a senior director of content at a global health and social justice organization, so I felt confident I’d find another role. A close connection helped me get a job offer right away. But that fell through after the company strung me along for months.
By the end of the summer after my May 2025 layoff, I’d settled into a routine of identifying two or three jobs each week that felt like a great fit, researching them, and applying. The layoff was so traumatic that it took me months to start networking. I couldn’t shift from processing what had happened to figuring out what came next.
It felt like I was recovering from an abusive relationship. The recovery took time. But, of course, as a single mom of three children, ages 18, 15, and 12, in Rockport, Massachusetts, I knew the money would run out.
Living frugally
I was lucky to have a severance equivalent to about 6 months’ pay, and went on to apply for unemployment. Looking after my family on those two incomes taught me to live frugally.
Applying for jobs is like an unpaid role in itself. Some companies had me do unpaid job tests. Time ticked by without a meaningful offer.
When the kids were at their dad’s house, I would live on leftovers, sometimes for a week at a time, avoiding any new grocery bills. I’d also lower the heat when the kids weren’t in the house and made it a point not to buy anything for myself.
By the start of 2026, I was getting nervous about my financial situation. I started to apply for part-time jobs to tide us over.
The garden center
I wanted my part-time job to be the complete opposite of my career. I wanted to be outside, using my body, so I applied to farms and a garden center.
At first, I couldn’t even get a job scooping horse poop on a farm. I remember thinking, “How could this be? I’m not qualified to shovel poop?” It turned out they rejected me because I’d never worked with horses.
Next, I applied and was hired to work at Wolf Hill Garden Center. I knew I’d have to accept whatever wage they offered, which turned out to be $17 per hour. My mindset was: This won’t pay all the bills, but it will pay some of them. After my first day of work, and the days that followed, I’d tell myself, “You just paid the electricity bill, or half a grocery bill.”
The days were long and hard but full of joy. I worked nine-hour shifts in the sun and dirt, sweating and freezing, making less than my oldest daughter’s lifeguard job.
Most of the time, I thought, “I love this so much. I could do this for the rest of my life.” But life is expensive.
I grew up on a farm, so the highlight of my day would be walking a customer through the center, describing which plants to buy, how to care for each, which ones need shade or sun, and which are best for hummingbirds. It felt like art.
Feeling physically worn out was fulfilling, too.
Finding my place
In June, I found a new role as director of communications after an interview process that felt full of ease, alignment, and green flags. Around the same time, I shared my job hunt experience on LinkedIn, including the part-time job I’d never imagined myself doing at 48 and the many lessons I learned along the way.
The post struck a nerve, drawing more than 6,400 likes and 500 comments. I was overwhelmed with the response and validation of those around the world who had experienced something similar.
I plan to carry lessons I learned at the garden center into my new job. When people were at work, they gave it their all. When the shift was over, work stayed at work. As a remote worker, I’m trying to be more disciplined about not letting work and home life blend together.
I’m also set on bringing the garden center workers’ goofy, funny spirit to my new job, where I want to value levity. I learned we can get the work done and still have fun.
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