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Leaving a high-paying corporate job often sounds like the ultimate act of freedom, especially when it comes with pressure, deadlines, and constant performance expectations. But what happens when the escape itself stops feeling like relief? That is exactly the question raised by a Reddit post that is now sparking conversation online. An IIM graduate who once earned a Rs 60 LPA package shared his experience of quitting the rat race, only to find himself in a quieter but more uncertain emotional space. The Reddit user explained that he is in his mid-30s, married, and a father to a young child of around 1.5 years. He shared that his career spanned over a decade, moving across roles and companies while steadily climbing the corporate ladder. A graduate from one of the older IIMs, he noted that at his peak, he was earning a Rs 60 LPA package before deciding to resign. He described how the decision to quit was not backed by a startup idea or another job offer. Instead, it came from what he called a growing frustration with the meaninglessness he felt in corporate life. Around four months before his post, he decided to step away, served his notice period, and finally resigned.131520538 At first, the change felt liberating. He wrote that the initial months were filled with relief and a sense of freedom. He travelled solo to Manali, read more, slept better, and enjoyed long days without meetings or deadlines. For the first time in years, he was not thinking about targets, office politics, or performance cycles. He described it as a phase where he genuinely felt free.The claims have not been verified independently. Excitement faded However, the emotional shift did not last in the way he expected. He shared that after the initial excitement faded, a sense of emptiness slowly began to settle in. The structure that once felt suffocating now seemed like something he actually missed. He further explained that his job search has not yet led to clarity, though he is exploring business ideas, meeting people, and learning how to use AI tools more effectively. But without the routine of corporate life, his days have become less structured. He admitted to putting on weight and sometimes feeling mentally stuck despite having more free time than ever before.131519731 He also reflected on how work had provided more than just income. It had given him identity, routine, social interaction, and momentum, something he did not fully appreciate until it was gone. The IIM graduate added that he does not regret quitting his job, saying he needed the break and distance from that life. Yet he also described being in a difficult in-between phase, where he is no longer who he used to be in his job, but has not yet become who he is supposed to be next. He ended by asking if others have experienced similar transitions after quitting without another job lined up, wondering whether clarity eventually comes or if many simply drift back into structured work out of necessity.Internet reactsUsers reacted with mixed experiences and advice. One suggested taking up a “low-workload 9-to-5 job” while figuring out a long-term business idea and using the time to travel and study real-world markets by directly observing businesses. Another shared a long personal journey after quitting a job abroad, saying he left corporate life, travelled extensively across India and Southeast Asia, and eventually found a slower but more meaningful lifestyle, even spending time in an ashram and later working in a low-pressure advisory role. He added that life felt fulfilling even without a constant income. One user noted that even after quitting, “no matter how much you make, it never feels enough,” and preferred staying at a steady lifestyle while building a project. Another said they too quit a Rs 60 LPA job to focus on family and a young child, and are currently using the break to reset before job hunting again.