Feeling Low Lately – Just Needed to Share
A few days ago, some relatives visited our home, bringing sweets and a lot of pride — their son recently got admission into an IIM (not ABC, but still a reputed one) after graduating from an NIT. It’s a great achievement, and I genuinely felt happy for them.
But as the conversation went on, it slowly shifted from celebration to subtle comparison. Comments like “kids these days are doing big things” and “after MBA, he’ll be earning 35–40 LPA easily” started to feel less like general talk and more like indirect jabs. The vibe was clear — our son is on a better track; what’s yours doing?
They know I work in tech and the company I’m with, but they don’t know the details — and I’m not someone who likes to talk about salary or flaunt numbers (for context, my current CTC is 12 LPA, 3 yoe). I didn’t go to a top-tier college, just a regular local engineering college. Still, I’ve worked hard, stayed consistent, and built a solid career for myself.
Normally, I brush off these things. But this time, it hit differently. Not because I felt insecure about myself — but because of how it made my parents feel. They’ve seen my journey up close. They’ve supported me through every phase, never once comparing me with anyone else. Yet in that moment, I could feel they were being made to feel "less than" — and that hurt me deeply.
It made me question my journey. Made me wonder: Am I doing enough? Have I fallen behind?
Anyways, Thanks for reading. I just needed to get this off my chest. And also to all the parents who support their kids without conditions, without comparisons — thank you. You're the reason we keep going.
Talking product sense with Ridhi
9 min AI interview5 questions
Welcome to the real world. Time to grow some thick skin
Any person who has a stick in hand. Will swing it.
When you become a good earner in the future, you will do the same too. Everybody does it. This is human psychology.
No everybody doesn't. I dont. I am from an old IIT. None of my Peers do it. Try having better humans around you.
Any person who has a stick in hand will swing it.
Nice quote!
You're doing good bro 10 years down the line these things won't matter Let them be Your parents will feel happy looking at your success and only yours
You can work hard and easily overtake him as well, no one is stopping you
Bhai tbh, this may not be the right approach because chances are at every stage in your life you will encounter people better than you.
The point of life is to improve and not do better than anybody else but yourself.
@SuryaPutra so you think he can beat someone who have a headstart of 30-35L while he starts from 13L? Unless he is a hardcore LeetCoder he cannot & never will be able to beat that IIM guy!
Comparison is the thief of joy! Please know that you are doing enough. If you are at peace with the way you're living your life, don't let anyone else bog you down. And there is absolutely nothing "less than" about your CTC or yoe. Truth be told, that boy is going to get a reality check if he believes there are enough companies in India to pay out 40-50 LPA right out of college without slogging like an absolute pig. I feel you are on the comfortable track, a linear track, one that makes you appreciate what you have and the work you need to put in to get to a higher level.
Concentrate on savings, on building your niche skills. Leverage your free time by socializing, and making time for yourself. Trust me, you'll miss this period. You will thank the lucky stars that you weren't an IIM graduate with a 40 LPA package.
There is nothing mediocre about stability.
Couldn't agree more! Folks who think an MBA at IIM guarantees crazy packages are in for a reality check
Easily earning 35-40 lakhs per annum is a statement similar to, 12th krlo uske baad maje hi maje.
Work on your ownself brudda nothing matters as long as you're comfortable in your own skin. Just know that after 50-100 years noone will remember you unless you off course have either contributed to the betterment of humanity or lead a genocide.
I said similar lines many times, we r just a dot or not even a dot in comparison to universe. The point is how we live life is what matters , live the life that we want , keeping yourself healthy is the most important thing that fuels our happiness. That money is is important but not so much than your inner happiness.
I was in your boat - Now at 10 YOE, I'm doing better than a lot of folks who went into IITs and IIMs. Don't stress about it right now, just have clarity into what you want to do and focus on working towards it.
At 3 YOE, I was at 6.5 LPA.
And now?
Your doing good only bro. You are a sincere and innocent person. And whats why such thoughts. Keep working hard. You will do great. Never compare with others
There is always a bigger fish! 🐠
Also, IIM are not having the same placement season as they supposed to have. But still even if you jump from 13 to 18; someone else will be there with 55L! Then what will you do?