I'm a software engineer with about six years of experience and I recently quit my ₹25 LPA job.
I feel like I've hit a point where it's just "bas ho gaya". Back in college I was super ambitious – I taught students, did freelancing, worked through UrbanClap, built websites for clients, always chasing growth, money and bigger opportunities.
But somewhere along the way I got mentally exhausted from the endless grind.
I'm 29 now, no concrete plans for marriage, kids or a rigid future. I have roughly ₹15 lakhs in savings and I've been seriously thinking of moving to Manali to live a slower, peaceful life for a while.
Financially I'm not completely free, but I can survive comfortably for at least 1‑2 years. If my monthly expenses in Manali stay around ₹30 k, the money should last me about 3‑4 years.
The weird part is I'm not aggressively hunting for another job, and remote interview calls are few. Deep down I don't think I want to jump back into the same corporate routine right now.
What I'm looking for right now is:
- peace
- clarity
- slower days
- time to think
- eventually figuring out the kind of life I actually want
Maybe I'll build something later, maybe I'll freelance again, maybe I'll create apps or projects on my own terms... I really don't know yet.
Has anyone gone through something similar? Did taking a break from the corporate race help you mentally or professionally? And for those who moved to places like Manali, how was the long‑term experience?
Same here, I'll quit once I achieve financial freedom.
Good decision. You can always freelance, bro. I quit corporate last year and became a freelancer. Life's never been better.
You're burnt out. Take it slow next time. A career is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't be the hare - be the tortoise.
I spent 15 days in Thailand and then six months doing nothing. Now I'm ready to put in 60‑hour work weeks at age 37.
Been there. Every time I quit my job I take a 6‑9 month break. During that time I travel, learn new skills like bartending or woodworking, use those skills to help people and build some side tech projects.
Manali is crowded; if you want peace, go to a remote spot like Jibhi or Shangarh to truly enjoy slow living and recharge.
Stay in a hostel, meet like‑minded folks and they'll help you land gigs.
₹15 lakhs is more than enough to live in hostels and explore. The worst that can happen is you run out of money – then you can always go home and start applying from there.
Hope this helps!
Burnout is real. I'm in the same boat - take some time for yourself. I'd also recommend:
- check your vitamin D levels
- do aerobic exercise
- consult a therapist
I'm from the hills and trust me, you don't want to stay there long. Life is tough - things are pricey. There's no Blinkit, Zomato or Swiggy in many areas. You often have to trek from one hill to another for basic supplies. Plus Manali is a tourist hub, so you'll face other issues. Don't quit your job just because you're craving a vacation. People from Himachal can be wary of outsiders, so don't expect constant hospitality.
Hi, I'm a 29‑year‑old male about to quit my government job because I don't like the work. Before this, I spent two years in edtech as a content developer and tutor. I have savings of over ₹40 lakhs, which should last 12‑13 years at a ₹20 k monthly spend. No marriage plans. I'm doing freelance teaching for international students, earning about ₹15‑20 k a month. My only responsibility is my mom, and the government provides CGHS. Would love to connect with like‑minded people.
Practically speaking, this is a disastrous decision. If you wanted a short vacation, that's a different story. Given your finances, this step looks ridiculous.
Retiring from corporate slavery is only sensible when you're financially free. With just ₹15 lakhs, you can't cover unexpected hospital bills or sustain yourself without taking some kind of work, freelance or otherwise.
When reality hits, peace and tranquility fade. Adequate money is essential for survival.
My suggestion: give yourself a short vacation, then go back to work. You can freelance to avoid burnout.
Your goal should be FIRE – achieve the required finances, then you can happily retire to Manali and live quietly.
Good luck.
Same here. I'm 32, got laid off, and I don't want to work at all. But I'm also clueless about what to do next.