There are many stories about people leaving high-paying jobs, but not all of them come from a place of choice alone. Some come after a long stretch of mental pressure, confusion, and personal struggle. One such story is of Bengaluru-based Rakesh, who once worked with top companies including a major American tech giant, but today drives an electric auto-rickshaw. His journey has been slow, difficult, and very personal.
Rakesh’s career began in what most would call the perfect way. He got an opportunity to work with a tech giant and later moved into roles with banks and computer-related companies. The salary was good, the office life was comfortable, and everything looked stable from the outside.
But things were not as smooth as they seemed.
“In the beginning, everything was good, but gradually I realised that people are only used there. I had become a 'people pleaser', who had forgotten myself in making others happy. It started to seem that I have all the facilities but why is there no happiness in my mind,” he says.
Over time, he started feeling disconnected from his own life. The constant pressure and expectations made him question what he was doing and why.
Things reached a point where he had to seek medical help. He underwent treatment at NIMHANS and Victoria Hospital and was on antidepressants for a long period.
“I would sit in one place for hours, with the same thought running through my mind for six or seven hours. I had confined myself to my house,” he recalls.
This phase was not short. It went on for quite some time, affecting both his mental and physical health.
Alongside that, he began working on his physical health. Through intermittent fasting, he lost around 15 kg. He also trained in martial arts like Muay Thai and Ju-Jitsu, which helped him regain some confidence.
His efforts showed results when he won a silver medal at a state-level championship.
After stepping away from corporate life, Rakesh did not jump into something big immediately. Instead, he took up different kinds of jobs. He worked as a food delivery agent, drove a bike taxi, and even worked as a gym assistant where he cleaned floors and toilets.
These roles may seem small to many, but for him, they were part of rebuilding his life. Each job helped him slowly regain a sense of independence and dignity.
His journey is not a straight success story. It has confusion, setbacks, and slow progress. But it also shows that sometimes stepping away from what looks like success is needed to feel okay again.
As per information shared by him through interviews and social media posts, his decision was not sudden. It took years of thinking, struggling, and trying different things before he reached where he is now.
Rakesh’s career began in what most would call the perfect way. He got an opportunity to work with a tech giant and later moved into roles with banks and computer-related companies. The salary was good, the office life was comfortable, and everything looked stable from the outside.
But things were not as smooth as they seemed.
“In the beginning, everything was good, but gradually I realised that people are only used there. I had become a 'people pleaser', who had forgotten myself in making others happy. It started to seem that I have all the facilities but why is there no happiness in my mind,” he says.
Over time, he started feeling disconnected from his own life. The constant pressure and expectations made him question what he was doing and why.
Personal struggles made things worse
Work stress was only one part of the problem. Rakesh was also dealing with emotional issues at home. His relationship with his father and later challenges in his marriage added to his mental strain.Things reached a point where he had to seek medical help. He underwent treatment at NIMHANS and Victoria Hospital and was on antidepressants for a long period.
“I would sit in one place for hours, with the same thought running through my mind for six or seven hours. I had confined myself to my house,” he recalls.
This phase was not short. It went on for quite some time, affecting both his mental and physical health.
Trying to rebuild step by step
At some point, Rakesh decided he did not want to stay dependent only on medication. He started reading about psychology to understand what he had gone through. He focused on concepts like narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy to make sense of workplace behaviour.Alongside that, he began working on his physical health. Through intermittent fasting, he lost around 15 kg. He also trained in martial arts like Muay Thai and Ju-Jitsu, which helped him regain some confidence.
His efforts showed results when he won a silver medal at a state-level championship.
After stepping away from corporate life, Rakesh did not jump into something big immediately. Instead, he took up different kinds of jobs. He worked as a food delivery agent, drove a bike taxi, and even worked as a gym assistant where he cleaned floors and toilets.
These roles may seem small to many, but for him, they were part of rebuilding his life. Each job helped him slowly regain a sense of independence and dignity.
Finding freedom in a simpler life
Today, Rakesh drives an electric auto-rickshaw on the streets of Bengaluru. It has been around four years since he started this phase of his life. Along with this, he spends time on things he enjoys, like dance and painting.His journey is not a straight success story. It has confusion, setbacks, and slow progress. But it also shows that sometimes stepping away from what looks like success is needed to feel okay again.
As per information shared by him through interviews and social media posts, his decision was not sudden. It took years of thinking, struggling, and trying different things before he reached where he is now.
