On paper, a secure government job, Rs 80 lakh in savings, no debt, and a financially secure future sound like a dream many aspire to. But when weekends disappear, sick leave is interrupted, and even 10-hour workdays aren’t enough, that security can come at a steep personal cost.
For one 31-year-old PSU employee, years of relentless work have left her questioning whether any job is worth sacrificing her peace of mind. Her heartfelt Reddit post about wanting to quit has struck a chord online, sparking a wider conversation about burnout, financial freedom, and what success really means.
Seeking honest advice, the woman turned to Reddit’s r/personalfinanceindia forum, where she shared a post titled, “31F govt job, 80L corpus – want to quit for peace. Reckless or realistic?”
“I’m a 31F working in a PSU for the last seven years. I have no debt, live a modest lifestyle, and have built decent savings over the years,” she wrote, before revealing the real reason behind her post: “The problem is that I’m completely burnt out.”
‘I CAN’T REMEMBER MY LAST PROPER BREAK’
According to her, things changed after she was transferred to a new department.
“Ever since I was shifted to a new department, I’ve been working weekends, holidays, after office hours, and sometimes even at midnight. I’ve been called to the office during sick leave, questioned for taking even a single day off, and despite putting in 9–10-hour workdays, I’m constantly told I’m ‘not doing enough.’ I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a proper break,” she wrote.
The constant pressure has left her emotionally drained.
“I don’t think I can continue living like this. I feel emotionally exhausted, and the thought of spending another 25–30 years in this environment terrifies me,” she admitted.
READY TO TRADE SECURITY FOR PEACE?
Unlike many who consider quitting because of money, finances are not her concern. She says she has low monthly expenses and enough savings to explore a different way of life.
Her plan is to resign, move back to a tier-3 city, and live a simpler life by relying on a mix of long-term investments, disciplined trading, and interest income from a portion of her corpus.
Still, she isn’t looking for people to simply agree with her.
“I’m not looking for validation or unrealistic encouragement. I genuinely want honest advice from people who have been in a similar situation,” she wrote, asking whether burnout was clouding her judgment or if her plan was genuinely sensible.
‘DON’T QUIT WHILE YOU’RE BURNT OUT,’ SAY REDDIT USERS
The post quickly resonated with Reddit users, many of whom sympathised with her situation but advised against making a permanent decision while experiencing burnout. Instead of resigning immediately, they encouraged her to first explore options such as taking an extended medical break, requesting an internal transfer, and setting clearer boundaries at work.
Several users also suggested documenting instances of workplace harassment, insisting on written instructions for work assigned beyond office hours, and escalating the matter to HR or the Women’s Commission if the situation failed to improve.
Others argued that constantly trying to meet unrealistic expectations was unsustainable. Since she was already prepared to leave the job, they felt she had little to lose by drawing firm boundaries and refusing to overwork simply to satisfy impossible demands.
Many also pointed out that burnout can cloud judgment, making it difficult to make balanced long-term decisions. They urged her to recover mentally before deciding whether to resign permanently.
The Reddit post soon made its way to LinkedIn, where Bengaluru-based Chartered Accountant Meenal Goel reshared it, noting that it captured a question many professionals quietly wrestle with.
She noted that people often assume employees leave stable jobs for higher salaries, when in reality many are simply trying to protect their mental well-being.
According to Goel, financial security has little meaning if it comes at the cost of health, time, and peace of mind, adding that true wealth lies in having the freedom to choose the life one wants.
The woman’s story has resonated with many because it highlights a reality often overlooked: a secure job and healthy bank balance do not automatically guarantee a fulfilling life. For many professionals today, the biggest question is no longer how much they earn, but whether the life they’re building is one they actually want to live.
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