At 8 p.m., parked roadside, quickly eating a packed meal before his night shift, Trieu Xuan Ninh, 23, from Lang Son, stumbled upon a short video. The phrase "What if I never truly shine?" appeared on screen with melancholic music, resonating deeply with the young man struggling to find his footing in the capital.

Five years ago, Ninh arrived in Hanoi for college, hoping to change his life. However, the 10 million VND his family borrowed only covered his first semester's tuition and a rental deposit. To survive, Ninh took on various jobs, including waiting tables, street photography, and ride-hailing.

Early this year, he took a risk, borrowing from a bank to buy a car for ride-hailing services. The 16-18 hour shifts drained the young man's energy. At one point, Ninh was hospitalized with facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy) due to overwork and exposure to cold.

"Seeing my peers get promotions or buy homes, I wonder when my life will truly shine. Perhaps I'll spend my entire life driving to earn money and pay off debt," Ninh sighed.

Trieu Xuan Ninh, 23, from Lang Son, works as a ride-hailing driver in Hanoi, 2023. *Photo provided by subject*

The post about "shining" that Ninh saw was by Nguyen Tien Minh, 20, depicting a delivery driver crying by the roadside. The phrase "What if I never truly shine?" rapidly spread across social media. Within days, the post garnered over 500,000 interactions. More than 50,000 people used this phrase to confess their exhaustion under the pressure to succeed.

Beyond manual laborers, the "fear of fading" syndrome also affects office workers. Hoang Yen, 28, an accountant at a foreign corporation in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), admits experiencing a quarter-life crisis. With a 15 million VND salary, Yen feels exhausted by the cycle of clocking in, reports, and "industrial" lunches.

"I feel insignificant, like a grain of sand," Yen stated. This pressure led her to take on extra projects, sacrificing weekends until she suffered from chronic insomnia.

Statistics reveal that youth exhaustion is more than a fleeting emotion. According to a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report, up to 20% of Vietnamese adolescents face mental health issues. Ministry of Health data indicates a strong trend of depression affecting younger demographics, particularly the 15-27 age group. A broad NielsenIQ survey on Gen Z lifestyles also exposed a harsh reality: 65% of young people feel immense pressure to constantly outperform their peers.

The 24/7 grind to maintain an image of success has drained millions, forcing them to adopt the "what if I never truly shine?" mindset as a psychological lifeline.

Trieu Xuan Ninh, 23, from Lang Son, currently works as a taxi driver in Hanoi. *Video provided by subject*

Explaining this phenomenon, Associate Professor Doctor Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Principal of the University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, describes it as both a wake-up call and a protest from young people against rigid success standards.

"Today's youth bear a dual burden," Professor Nam explained. "On one hand, they are influenced by the East Asian cultural belief that children surpassing parents brings prosperity. On the other, the digital environment's constant display of success creates fierce social comparison."

The expert suggests that when human value is confined to bank account figures or job titles, young people easily fall into the tragedy of self-deprecation and lose connection with reality.

Echoing this sentiment, Bui Cam Van, a personal development coach, states that tightly linking personal value to external achievements is the shortest path to breakdown. She herself was a media company director at 23. However, by 27, she experienced burnout after family issues and overwhelming work.

"I once thought 'shining' meant standing on a podium of glory," Van shared. "But that halo is fragile. After six months of psychological therapy, I realized 'shining' isn't about name tags or positions. At 30, I define 'shining' as having complete mental well-being, enjoying good meals with family, and doing honest work."

The line between "accepting normality" and "giving up lazily" lies in one's attitude. Professor Nam emphasized that freeing oneself from pressure does not mean ceasing to try. To escape this psychological trap, young people should practice a "social media detox," unfollowing content that creates pressure. Daily gratitude journaling also helps reprogram the brain for positive thinking.

"Accepting an ordinary life is the courage to live authentically without needing to be viewed through others' lenses," the expert affirmed. "You strive daily to be better than your past self, not to compete with anyone."

A ride-hailing driver awaits a fare. *Photo: Hoang Viet*

This shift in mindset has saved many from the depths of depression. Minh Duc, 32, from Hanoi, chose to redefine his life's values after being hospitalized for exhaustion. He is now content as a graphic designer, earning enough to cover expenses and have time for his family. For him, maintaining a stable pace of life is a form of "shining."

As for Xuan Ninh, after restless nights behind the wheel, he also found his answer. Reflecting on his journey from a highland student independently surviving in the capital and supporting his family, Ninh realized his extraordinary effort. "Shining isn't always about earning billions," the young driver said. "When I'm utterly exhausted, I still feel I'm shining because I haven't given up, I'm still working honestly, and I have a home to return to. The resilience to keep going each day—that is my own light."

By Nga Thanh