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Man quits Rs 42 LPA job after feeling ‘needy’ at work: ‘Measure of a man’s wealth can’t be money’

According to Lakhanpal, quitting his job marked a turning point. He says he is far happier now, and that happiness is visible.

3 min readNew DelhiJan 21, 2026 06:03 PM IST

Lakhanpal recalls buying an Rs 18 lakh car but feeling undeserving while sitting inside it

A man’s candid confession about the emotional cost of earning big money is striking a chord online. In a viral Instagram video, a former corporate professional opened up about how his Rs 42 lakh annual salary came with deep feelings of insecurity and self-doubt, eventually pushing him to walk away from the job. His core realisation, he says, was simple: money alone cannot define a man’s true wealth.

The video was shared by Shivam Lakhanpal, who describes himself as a stand-up comic and rapper on Instagram. Along with the clip, he wrote, “It was a good pay cheque but ‘Aur, weekend kaisa tha?’ Nahi suna kaafi dinon se so that makes it all worth it (How was your weekend? Haven’t heard it for quite some time and that makes it all worth it).”

The video begins with a blunt message on screen: “I quit my 42 LPA job.” Lakhanpal then speaks directly to the camera, saying, “The measure of a man’s wealth can’t be money man, I know it can’t be money.” He goes on to explain that he had left his corporate role a few months earlier, despite earning Rs 42 lakh a year.

Reflecting on his time in the office, he describes himself as a “needy, weasly” person back then. One moment, in particular, stayed with him. After buying an Rs 18 lakh car during his corporate stint, he remembers sitting inside it for the first time and feeling completely undeserving. “I didn’t feel manly enough to drive the car that I have purchased,” he recalls.

According to Lakhanpal, quitting his job marked a turning point. He says he is far happier now, and that happiness is visible. The same car that once made him uncomfortable is now a source of joy. “I drive it like a Batmobile,” he says with a smile. He also adds that despite having no steady income at the moment, his sense of self has never been stronger. “Without a single rupee coming into my bank account, I have never felt this much manly before.” Summing up his new life, he says, “I answer to no one, I do whatever I want.”

Watch the video:

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A post shared by Shivam Lakhanpal (@lp.shivam)

As expected, the video has sparked mixed reactions online. Many users applauded him for choosing mental peace, freedom and self-worth over a hefty pay cheque. Others, however, urged caution, warning against romanticising unemployment and ignoring real-world responsibilities, financial security and personal privilege.

One Instagram user commented, “You’ve transformed into this charming vibrant person too. Look at the before and after! Such tranquility.” Another wrote, “Broo.This is me right now! Im loving this phase. Feels like something else.” A third added, “The most healed life is when you get free will, an artist type of life – creating, healing & sharing in your own way.”

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Not everyone was convinced. One dissenting voice cautioned, “Don’t just blindly follow him and leave your job ! He might have a lot of other sources of income, made assets, saved wealth and now started creating content and getting regular expenses met from what he might earn from here.”