The Disconnect Within
Apeksha Jain, a 35-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru, made a significant career shift after 11 years in the corporate world. Earning a substantial
₹2.5 lakh per month, she felt a growing disconnect from her work. Her roles involved developing products for remote clients in the UK and US, leaving her with no understanding of the end-users, which diminished her sense of purpose. This lack of tangible impact, coupled with the monotonous nature of corporate life, spurred her to seek a more meaningful professional existence. Weekend trips around Bengaluru began to reveal a passion for travel, a pursuit that made her feel truly alive and authentic.
Life's Turning Points
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a profound catalyst for Apeksha Jain's life reevaluation. The loss of her mother during the second wave starkly highlighted the unpredictable nature of existence, prompting her to reconsider her definitions of success and happiness. This personal tragedy, combined with the cumulative burnout from over a decade in tech, solidified her resolve to change course. Despite attempts to find fulfillment in different companies and roles, the persistent feeling of dissatisfaction remained. She began a strategic saving plan, accumulating a corpus of ₹5 lakh over four years, which she deemed sufficient for approximately 8 to 9 months of budget travel, covering essential expenses like accommodation, food, and potential emergencies, while also managing family financial responsibilities.
Embracing a New Path
Following her resignation in 2023, Apeksha transitioned to full-time travel, volunteering and taking on various roles in cafes and hostels across scenic locations like Spiti, Manali, and Nainital. She described this period as a personal reclamation, moving away from the demanding corporate environment to embrace simpler joys like serving chai and engaging in deep conversations with strangers. Her current base is in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, where she now generates income through her art, creating wall paintings, resin art, and other crafts, often receiving bulk orders. While initially supplementing her income with travel-related work, earning around ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per month as a property manager, her artistic ventures have become her primary source of revenue.
No Regrets, Vital Caution
Despite the significant reduction in monthly earnings, from ₹2.5 lakh to an average of ₹20,000, Apeksha Jain expresses no regrets. She emphasizes that her current lifestyle is far more fulfilling and aligned with her values, asserting that perceptions of success and comfort evolve with life stages. She views her corporate experience as instrumental in enabling this transition, acknowledging its value while also recognizing its potential to become soul-crushing. Jain strongly advises against romanticizing the idea of quitting corporate life without meticulous planning. She warns that travel is often challenging and unpredictable, urging individuals to make such life-altering decisions thoughtfully and with a grounded understanding of reality, rather than as an impulsive escape.
