'I was happier when I earned 25,000': Remark of Corporate employee earning 2.5 lakhs goes viral on social media

New Delhi: Nowadays, most people are caught up in the race to earn more money; but does earning more money necessarily translate to greater happiness? A post by a corporate employee on social media is currently generating a lot of buzz, compelling everyone to pause and reflect. In this viral Reddit post, a corporate employee revealed that despite earning ₹2.5 lakh every month, he feels empty and depressed. He wrote that back when his earnings were a mere ₹25,000, he was happy; even the smallest things brought him joy. Spending money on something trivial felt special to him, and he felt truly alive. However, ever since he started earning a higher income, the spark has vanished from his life.

What are the contents of the the Reddit post?

In the Reddit post, the user wrote: "I have achieved that milestone—that 'golden number.' Every month, a notification pops up on my phone: '₹2,50,000 has been credited to your account.' By societal standards, I have become successful; I am 'winning' at life. Yet, why do I feel absolutely nothing? Back when I was earning ₹25,000 a month, there was a distinct kind of joy in my life. Even a simple dinner costing ₹500 felt like a major accomplishment. Buying a new shirt felt like a special occasion. Every single rupee held significance; it had a purpose, and spending it gave me a sense of freedom. Back then, I was truly living."

The user continued: "Today, I have been reduced to nothing more than a 'data entry clerk' for my own bank account—someone who merely watches money flow in and out across a screen. The moment that ₹2.5 lakh hits my account, it vanishes just as quickly—roughly 50% disappears instantly. This money goes toward investments, mutual funds, and emergency savings."

Why is the Reddit post writer unhappy?

"I am saving money for the future of a person I do not even know yet, and in the process, I am suppressing my own present-day needs. Whatever money remains eventually dwindles away; rent consumes a large portion of it, and household bills also account for a significant expense. Then comes the responsibility of sending money to my parents—for it is essential to be a pillar of support for them—but this also implies that the money I earn through my hard work is serving everyone else's needs but my own."