Do You Want to Change by Choice or Be Forced to Change?

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of news about people losing their jobs—whether due to the economic downturn or AI replacing human roles. While I’m also worrying about the future like everyone else, but I still spend time taking a break from work and searching for new opportunities. I know that worrying won’t change anything. If I go back to a job that no longer excites me, I’ll just be stepping back into the rat race—one that drains me and, in the long run, leads to regret. So instead, I’m choosing to stay calm and think deeply about what I truly want to do with my experience and what genuinely excites me.

Even though my plate is full of life’s responsibilities, this year, my life seems to have shifted toward learning. Suddenly, I find myself diving into skincare, biology, chemistry, and even traditional medicine—fields I never imagined studying before. But it all started with one simple moment. While doing nails for my clients, I noticed that many of them were exhausted, barely enjoying the service, likely wondering when it would be over. It made me think: If nails are considered a luxury service, why do so few people actually enjoy them? For most, it’s just another chore, something they “have to” do.

That realization sparked a question in my mind—how could I offer services that help people truly relax and enjoy the experience? I thought about spa treatments, where in Vietnam, clients lie comfortably on a bed while multiple people work on them.

So I started exploring different beauty services to add to my salon, eventually choosing skincare. I assumed it would be simple—just applying masks and doing massages. But instead, I found myself immersed in biochemistry, skin science, and even traditional medicine—because I believe in holistic wellness. When I was younger, I didn’t care about these things, but now, at 35, I feel how much more maintenance my body needs. I don’t wish to look 20 again, but I do miss the glow and vitality I once had. Every time I look at old photos, I feel a longing for “her.” And I know I’m not alone. Women my age, juggling demanding careers, children, and the ever-growing social pressure to look put together, want the same thing—to feel good in their skin, inside and out. That’s why I want to study, to learn, and to share all I discover with them.

Believe it or not, I actually love learning all these complex things. I enjoy solving problems—just like when I did nails, wondering why a certain product worked for me but not for my clients. Now, I find myself diving into AI as well, not seeing it as a threat but as a tool to make my life easier. I imagine a future where I master these AI tools, allowing me to run my business with ease.

It feels like I’ve suddenly been thrown into a new world—a world full of knowledge, possibilities, and excitement. But my mind sometimes struggles to keep up. It whispers that I’m too old, too tired, too busy for all this studying. It tempts me with the comfort of staying in what I know—after all, the money was good. So why change?

But I know that if I stay in bed too long, I’ll miss the morning sunlight and a beautiful day filled with new opportunities. One of my classmates is 68 years old and still dreams of opening a home spa. If she’s not making excuses, why should I? Learning something new is challenging—but also incredibly fun.

So even if no one fires me and my life is thankfully stable, I’m still choosing to change—to embrace new possibilities, to challenge myself, and to make my short time on this earth as fulfilling as possible.