I think when I was young, especially during my adolescence, I was just worrying about this and that. I was seriously worried about relationships, whether it was love or romance, but somehow, although there was no basis for it, I thought that once I became an adult, I would be freed from those worries.
So, what are the worries of adults?
However, what do you think?
For example, even as we age into our 30s and 40s, our worries never end.
I woke up from a less-than-sufficient sleep and was exhausted just from commuting to work. Even at work, the text on documents is so blurry that I can’t read it, and even though someone says to me, “It’s been a while,” I can’t remember who it was. When you have lunch with a new employee, you frown because you don’t know what to say.
In the evening, I grab a drink at the same pub as usual, and when I get home, I scold my child to study, and I feel a sense of self-loathing. When should I start sending my child to cram school? I don’t even know where to go even if I am asked to go on a family trip during the upcoming holidays. And then again, the next morning after a sleepless night, I was told, “You can be the secretary of the year-end party.”
What about the slightly different scenery of “Shinbashi Station”?
What should I do?
I walk through the streets of Shinbashi thinking about this every day. The city is the same as always, nothing has changed. I don’t know their names or faces, but I’m sure that the lives of the people who pass by in front of me are similar to mine. I couldn’t help but sigh and force myself to climb the subway stairs.
Then, it seemed like the scenery was a little different than usual. Have I gotten lost in the world of a game where I can’t escape unless I find something out of place?
No, what’s different is the advertisement posted on the wall of the stairs. I had never noticed it before, but today it suddenly caught my eye. This is because it says things like, “Isn’t there some kind of exercise that I can continue even if nothing else lasts?” It seems like he can see into my heart as I gasp for breath on the stairs. This is probably because most people on the street are facing similar problems.
When I look around me, I see a number of problems that I have struggled with before.
“What should I talk about at lunch with a new employee?” “It’s a rainy day. What should I do with my child’s excess energy?” “I know how to study, but I don’t know how to teach them.”
If you go to the downtown area of Shinbashi…
Hmm, it’s frustrating. Or rather, it’s just something I think about all the time. It’s kind of terrifying, as if the reality is being forced upon me, and I’m also relieved to see that the worries of everyone on the street are similar.
“I want to create a shop that I go to.” Yes, that’s right. “I’m starting to want to know more about
Get out of the station and head into downtown Shinbashi. There was a notice there too. “Karaoke’s best practices haven’t changed from 10 years ago.” It is posted in front of the karaoke shop in front of the station. What hasn’t changed over the past 10 years is not only the topics talked about at izakaya bars, but also the songs sung at karaoke. No, I’ve been singing that song for not just ten years, but twenty years.
Similarly, at SL Square, “I don’t even have the physical strength to go to the gym.” Yes, that’s right. When I returned from my field trip and complained about how tired I was, a subordinate in my twenties told me these words. “You should go to the gym.” But now, an old man who gets out of breath just by climbing the subway stairs is training at the gym surrounded by serious people…
I know that the old man who was walking around as if he hadn’t seen anything was also glancing at this notice. He must be thinking, “Wow, that’s right.” However, I can behave in a way that doesn’t show that I’m upset. After all, I’m an adult.
How can I escape from Shinbashi, which is surrounded by “worries”?
I feel lost surrounded by such troublesome notices. So, if you look closely, you’ll see that there are hints written on the side of the bulletin board that can help you solve your problems.
He says, “A method that can be used at karaoke to improve your singing skills in an instant.” Or, “A famous hidden Chinese restaurant that only those in the know know about,” or “I want to try something new! Top 5 lessons for adults.”
Well, if you watch this video, it might help you solve your problem. Apparently, these bulletin boards all over Shinbashi are based on TikTok videos. “SHIMBASHI 100 VOICES” is a list of concerns that was created based on a questionnaire survey of people actually working in Shinbashi. Of course, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed.
And if you look at TikTok, you can find clues to solving many of these problems. I know TikTok is popular, but I’ve never seen it before, and I thought it was something young people would enjoy. However, it seems like there may be some useful information out there even when you become an adult.
When I suddenly looked up at the vision, I saw a copy that said, “An opportunity to take care of your body will flow to you.” Oh yeah. As we get older, we gradually become more concerned about our bodies, but I wonder how everyone is doing. Is the TikTok video “10 seconds! Relieve neck and shoulder stiffness”? If you can do it in 10 seconds, I might take a look.
With that in mind, I diligently downloaded the app and searched for it, and found that it was a short video that was only a few dozen seconds long, so it could be used for a change of pace between work. If you get into it and start watching more and more, you’ll start to see longer videos. I might want to watch this on the weekend.
By the way, according to a survey, 60% (three-fifths) of business people say they have not yet accomplished what they wanted to do this year.
The reality of being an adult is that even if you want to do something, it is difficult to do it. But when I was looking at TikTok, I noticed things like traveling, raising children, and taking care of my body. From small tips for daily life to hobbies you might want to start… Hmmm. Maybe TikTok will give us an opportunity to change our reality a little.
Moreover, when you think that there is a clue to a solution, the problems that come your way start to seem more positive than you might think. The first step to solving your problems is to face them directly.
And although most of my worries still remain, I look up at the sky with a slightly clearer feeling. That’s right, it’s time to decide on a restaurant for the year-end party. I wonder if the answer can be found on TikTok…
2024-11-01 03:00:00
Videos, you might discover a wealth of information and tips that can help you with everyday dilemmas. It’s interesting how platforms like TikTok have transformed the way we access knowledge and support, making it easier to find solutions to common problems that once seemed overwhelming.
As I stand there at the station, feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity, I realize that perhaps it’s not about escaping from Shinbashi and its worries, but rather navigating through them. The struggles I face are not mine alone; they are shared by many. This acknowledgment creates a sense of solidarity, and the realization that I can seek out knowledge and support from modern resources feels empowering.
With renewed determination, I take out my phone, check out those recommended TikTok videos, and start engaging with the community around me—both locally and online. I step away from the subway stairs with a lighter heart, realizing that while I have my challenges, I also have the tools at my fingertips to tackle them.
I begin to think about what small steps I can take. Maybe I’ll try a new exercise suggested in a video to boost my energy before my child gets home from school. Perhaps I can even look up tips on having more engaging lunch conversations with new coworkers. These aren’t massive life changes, but they are manageable and worth exploring.
Walking through Shinbashi, I let the ambient chatter of the city wash over me. The vibrant mix of voices—each person seemingly engrossed in their struggles yet carrying on—is a reminder of the resilience all around me. I may not have all the answers now, but I’m beginning to feel that the journey itself, along with the resolve to seek out knowledge and connection, is just as important as arriving at any particular destination.