High salaries and prestigious tech jobs are often seen as clear signs of success in India’s corporate world. For young professionals from top colleges, earning upwards of Rs 40–50 lakh a year is usually associated with financial stability, social respect, and personal confidence. However, a recent Reddit post by a 28-year-old software engineer shows how an unhealthy habit — constant comparison with peers — can undermine even high earnings and career stability.
The software engineer, who works at a large multinational company, has around six years of experience and graduated from a Tier-1 college. He said he mentioned his academic background only to explain the environment he comes from, where comparisons are routine and often unavoidable.
According to him, relatives and family members regularly compare his income, savings, and lifestyle with others from Tier-1 and Tier-2 colleges. Over time, this habit of measuring himself against peers has led him to believe that he is falling short, despite having what would widely be considered a strong career.
Financial Choices Become a Trigger for Self-Judgement
One major reason for his growing dissatisfaction is a recent personal investment. The engineer shared that he built a house in his hometown, a decision that required a large financial outlay and drained most of his liquid savings.
Currently, he has around Rs 4 lakh in accessible funds and company stock units valued at roughly Rs 20 lakh. While he recognises these assets, comparing himself to friends of a similar age who have accumulated savings of over Rs 1 crore has made him feel financially behind. The comparison, rather than the decision itself, has become the source of stress.
Fitness Struggles Worsened by Social Comparison
The habit of comparison has also affected how he views his physical health. He said he has been going to the gym for about a year but still feels unhappy with his physique. Remarks and jokes from people around him about his body have further reinforced his self-doubt.
He admitted that these comments hurt more because they add to an already existing pattern of comparing himself across multiple areas of life, including money, appearance, and progress.
Reddit Users Call Out Comparison as the Core Problem
Many Reddit users responding to the post directly addressed comparison as the root issue. Several pointed out that earning at this level at 28 places him ahead of the majority of the population. Others reminded him that growth happens at different speeds and that there will always be someone earning more, saving more, or looking fitter.
One detailed response explained how people are conditioned to compare themselves from school through careers, shifting from grades to salaries and then to lifestyle markers. The user emphasised that success cannot be measured by picking different strengths from different people and using them as a benchmark.