A Bengaluru-based software engineer’s emotional note that shows the negative side of high-paying corporate jobs is going viral on the internet, with many social media users connecting and agreeing with them.
Lonely Software Engineer
Can money buy happiness? This is an age-old question that has sparked many debates. A 24-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru who wrote about feeling “overwhelmed” and “lonely” in their life despite making 58 lakhs recently started one such conversation.
Sukhada, a Twitter user, shared a screenshot of the note she discovered on Grapevine’s corporate chat site with a caption that reads, “The other India.”
The note titled “Feeling Saturated in Life” demonstrates how, despite having a very good salary and work profile, a person can become disconnected from social life, which is a harsh reality of today’s corporate world.
The other India.
Via @anonCorpChatInd pic.twitter.com/8G8t2kxBuU
— Sukhada (@appadappajappa) April 19, 2023
“Feeling saturated in life. I am a 24-year-old Software Engineer in an FAANG company with 2.9 years of experience living in Bangalore. I make a good living (58lpa before taxes) and have a somewhat relaxed work life. However, I am always overwhelmed and lonely in my life. I don’t have a girlfriend to spend time with, and all of my other buddies are preoccupied with their lives. Even my work life is monotonous because I have been with the same company from the beginning of my career and do similar things every day, and I no longer look forward to fresh challenges and growth opportunities at work. Please advise on what I should do to make my life more interesting. (Don’t say ‘go to the gym,’ because I already go),” the professional wrote in the note.
Netizens react
Users on social media reacted differently to the message; some were surprised, while others agreed with him and shared similar personal experiences.
Many don't know current software engineering is increasingly becoming tools and library gluing which kinda makes it boring and add that 58lpa.. easily peaking in SWE unnecessarily
— Homelander (@9thBeer) April 19, 2023
Some of my friends said the same thing to me, and I too felt it several times. Feeling lonely, saturated, anxious all the time.
One day, I told my mother, "What is there to live, want to die early", and she slapped me.
— Naresh Silla (@brucewayne_lite) April 20, 2023
24
Saturated
FAANG
~3.5L in hand a month
No partner——
Everyone has problems.— Narayani Gurunathan (@Narayani07) April 19, 2023
Pretty sure the solution isn’t in finding a girlfriend
— Abhijith Neil Abraham (@abhijithneil) April 20, 2023
He should join a startup or start something of his own. Everyday he will have new problems to solve with sense of purpose and directed to one goal which is to make his own venture a success and see happiness on his teams face. Life is about giving and creating value for others
— Amit Mastud (@MILIJOULE) April 21, 2023
People being sarcastic and envious in the comments, probably distracted by the 58lpa.
He is lonely and longs for human connection. And it's a valid need for everyone, irrespective of salary.
Loneliness is the curse of modern life and we don't acknowledge it.
— D. (@Disstillmyname) April 20, 2023
Talk to a Mechanical or Civil engineer who r working in core companies with not more than 15-25k/month.. u will feel better..
— Sumesh Hanabaratti (@SumeshRH) April 20, 2023
He needs perspective and needs to feel he is creating a positive impact.
One way is to work at an NGO/Orphanage where people are less fortunate. This will help him feel gratitude for what he has, and also direct his energy on positive outcome.
— Sachin Shenoy (@realsachin) April 20, 2023
13+ yrs of work exp, Yet to see that figure.
Gen Z has it all, but doesn't have it all. How much can you splurge on luxuries eventually if you don't have a social life, family life or someone to share it with!— BumbleBee (@ForamVeera) April 20, 2023
Since money is no bar, use some of it to engage in activities/experiences to use spare time wisely, meet other people and a potential girlfriend. And don't squander that wealth, assuming it's real 🙂
— Abdul Basith (@basithabood) April 19, 2023
