He was laid off. Then got a role bigger than his previous one. But he is far from happy: 'I consider this the biggest downfall...'

​Social media is littered with success stories. Anecdotes of people who experienced the other way round - went from the pinnacles of success to failure are hardly explored. Recently, a story of an employee who went from earning Rs 2 lakh a year to Rs 40,000 became viral on Reddit.

A Flourishing Freelance Career Comes to a Halt

Posting on the Indian Workplace subreddit, the copywriter explained that his professional journey began nearly eight years ago when he started working as a freelancer. At the age of 18, he secured his first full-time remote contract, marking the beginning of a promising career. By the time he turned 22, he had established himself as a lead copywriter and was earning around ₹2 lakh every month while working remotely.


The writer revealed that he had built his career without completing college, relying entirely on self-learning and years of sharpening his writing abilities. According to him, everything changed in 2026, when multiple projects and employment opportunities disappeared within a span of two weeks. His steady six-figure monthly income vanished almost overnight, leaving him without a reliable source of earnings.

AI and Layoffs Changed Everything

The copywriter attributed much of his career setback to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence in the content industry. He explained that his employer chose to invest in AI-based solutions while replacing several positions with native employees, ultimately resulting in his layoff.

Faced with financial pressure, he accepted a position at a marketing agency in Hyderabad. The company currently manages promotional campaigns for Telangana Tourism, and he plays a leading role in shaping its marketing strategy.

Lower Salary, Bigger Responsibilities

Although grateful to have found employment again, the copywriter admitted that the compensation has been difficult to accept. Despite handling responsibilities that exceed those of his previous position, he now receives only ₹40,000 per month—just one-fifth of what he once earned.

He also expressed disappointment with the workplace culture, saying he often feels surrounded by colleagues who treat their jobs merely as routine tasks instead of approaching them with creativity and enthusiasm. According to him, the lack of passion has affected his own motivation, even though he believes he is carrying the workload of several employees.

Describing the experience as the biggest professional setback of his life, he said the dramatic fall in income and job satisfaction has been emotionally difficult to process.

Reddit Users Offer Different Perspectives

The post generated significant discussion among Reddit users. Some commenters pointed out that choosing unconventional career paths often brings higher rewards but also greater uncertainty. They noted that technological shifts, particularly the emergence of AI, have reshaped industries and affected professionals across generations.

Others offered words of encouragement, arguing that the copywriter's earning potential had not disappeared simply because his circumstances had changed. They believed that the skills which once enabled him to command a ₹2 lakh monthly salary remained valuable and could eventually help him regain a similarly rewarding position in the future.