From Cashier to Creator: Rethinking Jobs in 2025

In 2025, it seems like every day brings new stories about job cuts, companies downsizing, or entire positions being taken over by machines. Workers in various fields—from healthcare and trucking to farming and office jobs—are either disappearing or rapidly changing careers. We still don’t have all the data, so the complete picture isn’t clear yet. For many people, this year hasn’t just meant losing a paycheck; it has also felt like losing their sense of stability and identity.

I can still remember how it felt to experience that kind of loss. Years ago, I worked as a cashier. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was steady, and I was able to support myself and my two-year-old child at the time. Although I was technically a homeless single mother, I was staying with a relative. I had a clear understanding of my schedule, knew my regular customers, and respected my boss. I appreciated the rhythm of my days; there was comfort in the routine, even when the lines wrapped around the store and my feet ached after an eight-hour shift at the register.

Then one day, it ended.

There wasn’t much explanation, just a conversation that left me with that hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach, a gnawing emptiness that echoed in the silence of my thoughts. I was replaceable, disposable, a mere cog in a relentless machine that boiled down human worth to mere productivity. The world didn’t stop because I wasn’t behind that counter anymore, but it tilted in a way that made me feel so small, as if my existence was merely a blip in a vast, unfeeling universe that continued to spin without regard for my plight.

It wasn’t just about the money—it was about the fact that I now had no place to live and a child to provide for, each day becoming a painful reminder of the precariousness of our situation, the constant worry gnawing at my bones like a vicious winter chill. It took a year to find another job. This grueling process chipped away at my already fragile self-esteem, each rejected application echoing in the caverns of doubt that had begun to form in my mind, making me question my abilities and worth.

When I finally secured a position, I left that one after several months due to workplace bullying; my health was declining on top of everything (I had major surgeries consecutively), each setback feeling like another weight pressing down on my shoulders. A relentless assault that threatened to crush my spirit.

Something had to change, I realized, as I sat in the quiet moments of despair, contemplating how to rebuild our lives from the ashes of my career while battling the shadows that threatened to consume me. I started by reaching out for programs that would help temporarily until I could get back on my feet, fueled by a determination that began to stir within me, a flicker of hope igniting in the darkness. I just recently got housing, and for that, I am grateful, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I unpacked boxes and transformed those bare walls into a home, each item carefully placed like a piece of a puzzle fitting into a long-forgotten picture of stability. But I’ll never again be complacent; I know now that life can shift without warning, and I must remain vigilant. Always striving to create a better, more secure future for both myself and my child, nurturing that spark of resilience into a blazing fire of ambition and hope that will carry us forward into brighter tomorrows.

When I look at the stories of people losing work now, I can’t help but see echoes of that moment. The cashier role that once gave me a sense of job security is one of the very jobs being phased out by self-checkout machines and automation. And it’s not just retail. The fragility of traditional jobs has become impossible to ignore.

But here’s what I’ve learned since then: a job can be taken away, but skills stay with you. The more I invested in myself – learning new things, pushing into spaces where I could create and not just clock in – the less power those layoffs and cutbacks had over me.

That’s the part I want to emphasize today. Yes, jobs are being lost in 2025. Yes, the economy is unpredictable. So instead of clinging to traditional jobs and roles that are shrinking, we should shift our focus toward industries and skills that allow us to build something of our own.

Further training doesn’t just mean going to get another degree (and more debt) or collecting certificates that keep you tied to someone else’s payroll. Training in a trade could possibly open more opportunities for you to run your own service business. Picking up skills in areas like content creation, home repair, catering, design, or beauty services – industries where entrepreneurship is encouraged.

Losing my job felt like the end of the world since it was my first job, but then walking away from the second job that left me unhappy and unprotected empowered me and gave me my confidence back. It let me realize my worth, that I shouldn’t have to put up with rude coworkers (the manager once called me in to work, waited till I arrived just to send me back home). But I now see it as the start of a new perspective: the most secure work isn’t always the job someone else gives you. Sometimes, it’s the work you build and grow for yourself.

That doesn’t mean everyone has to suddenly become an entrepreneur overnight. For some, the idea of starting a business feels overwhelming, and that’s fair. But there’s a middle ground between being locked into unstable jobs and trying to launch the next big startup. It’s about building options.

Think of it this way: every new skill you pick up is another in your toolkit. And the more tools you have, the more doors you can open. Maybe today that means picking up a certification in digital marketing while you’re between jobs. Tomorrow, it might mean running social media for a local business, freelancing for clients online, or even launching your own e-commerce shop.

Perhaps your skills lean more toward hands-on experience. Learning a trade like home improvement, cosmetology, or even craftsmanship like painting or crocheting can be a first step towards something bigger than just “finding work.” The industries I just mentioned have the unique advantage of being both practical and entrepreneurial. Fix one sink, cut one head of hair, make one outfit from yarn – and suddenly word of mouth becomes your first marketing plan. What starts as a way to fill an income gap can grow into a business that sustains not only you but any future employees you gain down the line.

The truth is, stability doesn’t come from chasing jobs that are disappearing the quickest. It comes from leaning into abilities that you learn and skills that evolve with you, whether you’re working solo, freelancing, or scaling into something larger.

Moreover, in a world that is changing so rapidly, it’s essential to recognize that adaptability is a superpower. We often hear about the importance of soft skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. These qualities are more important than ever, as they can determine your success in diverse environments. Continuous learning and flexibility can help you navigate the shifting job market more effectively. When you embody a mindset geared toward growth, you will find opportunities where others see obstacles.

While retraining requires effort, the rewards are truly valuable. The main benefit is freedom—the freedom to avoid the fear of losing another job due to cutbacks and large layoffs. When you become your own boss, you can take control of your future. What do bosses do? They create their own work schedules, determine how many hours they work, and decide how their business will grow.

If you’re one of the many people who have lost their jobs this year, or if you’re worried about being the next one, I want you to understand this: you are not powerless. You have more ability to shape your future than any employer could ever provide.

Losing my job as a cashier was a setback for me, but it also opened up new possibilities. When one door closes, another one opens. You just have to seize the opportunity and not let fear hold you back. This experience was truly challenging, but it taught me that I can adapt and build my own future.

In a year like this, the lesson is more important than ever. We find ourselves at a crossroads, where we can choose to be victims of our circumstances or the architects of our own destinies. Embrace uncertainty and view it as a blank canvas for your next chapter. Remember, no matter how daunting the journey may seem, taking the first step toward empowerment can transform your life in ways you never imagined.