Recently, I quit the first job that I ever had. It is such a bittersweet feeling to be moving on from something after having it in my life for five years. As I reflect on the time I spent there, I realize that I have had some great experiences and have learned some valuable lessons that will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. Leave your personal life at home.

There are going to be days when you have a million things going on at home, and you feel like your life is spinning out of control. While it can be okay to talk with your coworkers about your personal life, it is not okay to project your personal frustrations onto your coworkers and/or customers.

2. Try to be friendly with all of your coworkers.

These wonderful (or terrible) people are the ones that set the tone of the working environment. They can make that seven-hour shift seem like a breeze or a nightmare. Sometimes, it will be completely up to you to initiate a friendship with a coworker. It might seem awkward at first, but do it! They might be the only things keeping you sane throughout the day.

3. Do not be afraid to have a conversation with your boss.

Usually, your boss cares about how you feel as an employee of theirs. They do not want you to be unhappy in your job and can be an advocate for you to people in higher positions. You should take the time to get to know them because it also lets them get to know you. Talking to a boss about a raise or performance reviews becomes way less stressful when you feel like you know them on a personal level.

4. Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself.

My first job was a waitress job at a senior living home. Because I saw the residents on a daily basis, they began to get very comfortable and very demanding of things that were far beyond my job description. While I wanted to help them with whatever I could, there were times when I needed to draw the line. I was a waitress not a personal assistant/maid/chef/storyteller/etc.

5. Your appearance matters.

People judge you immediately when they see you. If you come to work with greasy hair, melted makeup, dirty clothes, body odor, etc., customers and coworkers notice and make a judgment about what kind of person they think you are and about whether they trust you to do your job well or not. Take the extra time in the morning to make sure that you are presenting yourself in a way that portrays the quality of your work.