Gurugram man earning ₹ 40 LPA says success is 'boring and empty', answers internet

A Reddit post by a 28-year-old finance professional from Gurugram struck a chord with social media users after he shared it despite earning around ₹40 lakh a year, he feels “bored and empty” and struggles to find motivation.

The post titled “Life is boring and empty despite 40 LPA” was shared by u/onepoint5zero in Reddit’s Ask Thirties community. It has since received 258 upvotes and generated a flood of comments, with users discussing everything from burnout and work-life balance to health and financial planning.

“Nothing pushes me to become a better person”

The Redditor introduced himself and said he comes from a middle-class family, works in finance and has been supporting his household for years.

He wrote that his father had not earned “a dime” for more than ten years and that he now took care of all the family’s financial responsibilities.

“28M: Middle class, works in finance, father hasn’t earned a dime in the last 10+ years, married for a year to a very supportive wife, take care of everything in the family, no wealth handed down from parents.”

A resident of Gurugram said he earns around ₹40 lakhs per annum and will soon move back to his hometown while continuing in a remote role with a similar salary.

According to the post, his monthly expenses are around ₹1.1 million, including a ₹55,000 home loan EMI, ₹30,000 sent home every month and ₹25,000 on own expenses including rent. He added that his wife is another contributor ₹20 thousand for household expenses.

According to him, the remaining revenues are invested in mutual funds. He piled around ₹20 lakhs, including savings from provident funds, while his home loan balance is around ₹33 million.

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Despite what many would consider financial stability, the Redditor said he feels emotionally stuck.

“There’s no excitement in doing anything anymore.”

He shared that he still dreams of buying a better car, getting in top physical shape, taking his wife on an international vacation, and taking better care of his parents.

“There’s nothing pushing me to become a better person, and in my spare time I just sit around and look at some books. The 23-year-old me who spent every bit of free time constantly learning has just disappeared from me.”

Fear of becoming ‘like my father’

The Redditor also revealed that one particular fear weighs heavily on him.

“This idea of my father not earning has been consuming me every bit lately as well. And seeing me sit and do nothing to move forward, I am really afraid that I will become like my own father – Unambitious, not caring about the future of the family.”

Although he acknowledged that many people may see his salary as privileged, he said his emotions remained real.

“I know I’m a crybaby writing about this stuff even though I have a decent salary and limited debt, but I feel what I feel. I want to know if anyone else has felt this way and is in a similar financial situation.”

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Reddit users offer advice and perspective

The post quickly attracted hundreds of responses, with users offering suggestions ranging from medical check-ups to lifestyle changes.

One Reddit user shared a personal experience and wrote:

“Have you had your B12 checked? I had the same feelings a few years ago when I was 26 in Germany working at T Mobile.”

The doctor tested everything and found I was chronically low in B12, put me on bi-weekly injections for 3 months and daily tablets for a year.

With the last injection I started to feel more positive. He then explained to me that B12 is brain food and is the first step to check before figuring out why a person is demotivated/depressed etc.

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Leprechaun – I’m not a doctor just sharing my life story so it’s not advice etc.

Another user put it succinctly, noting:

“You’re going to have to get out in the sun and learn how to spend your money!!!!”

One Redditor added humor to the discussion.

“Brother has everything a man could want in life and he’s still not happy, I’m just wondering if I have enough money for a funeral.”

“Go touch some grass mate.”

Others urged the original poster to redefine success beyond professional achievements.

“People always chase the top and think they will enjoy it once they reach the top. The truth is you never learned to enjoy and live life alongside your work or career. I don’t think you spend an hour that isn’t related to your work or career. Get to know yourself, my friend. See what makes you feel good.”