Corporate slavery or daily routine? Bengaluru man's one-year-old son gives him a reality check about life priorities. 'It breaks my heart'

The conversation around work-life balance in India’s corporate sector is not new, but every once in a while, a personal story brings it back into focus in a very real way. Long working hours, constant pressure, and the struggle to make time for family are issues many professionals quietly deal with. Now, a recent post shared on Reddit has once again put this reality into perspective, after a Bengaluru-based father opened up about how his demanding routine is affecting his relationship with his young son.

In his post, the man described how his demanding work schedule, stretching from 11 am to 11 pm, has started affecting his personal life in ways he did not anticipate.

He wrote, “I’m honestly exhausted with this 11-to-11 corporate routine. It’s taking more from me than I ever expected. The hardest part isn’t even the long hours, it’s what I’m missing at home.”


The turning point, he said, comes from small everyday moments with his one-year-old son. “My one-year-old son crawls up to me with so much excitement, hoping I’ll pick him up or play with him. And more often than not, I have to turn him away because I’m stuck on another ‘urgent’ call. The look on his face stays with me… and it breaks my heart every single time.”

He added, “I don’t want to keep missing these moments. They’re not going to come back.”

That simple admission seems to have resonated widely, especially among those who feel stuck in similar routines.

Considering a risky but meaningful shift

The father also shared that he has been thinking about leaving his stable job to pursue something more meaningful. He mentioned an early-stage idea for a cricket card game, saying, “Lately, I’ve been thinking seriously about making a change. I’ve come up with an idea for a cricket card game—something I feel excited about and actually want to build. It’s still early, but it gives me hope.”

Still, he is unsure about taking the leap. “I’m just trying to figure out… is it worth taking that leap? To leave behind stability for something uncertain, but meaningful—not just for me, but for the life I want with my son.”

Internet responds with caution and lived experiences

The post quickly drew a mix of empathy and practical advice. While many users related to the emotional conflict, most urged caution before quitting a stable income, especially with family responsibilities.

One user pointed out the risks of jumping into an unfamiliar field, saying that building a game without prior experience can be expensive and uncertain, and suggested starting small by testing ideas first.

Another commenter, who identified as the sole breadwinner, shared a similar struggle: “I am the only bread earner. I'm ready to quit and pick up trading. But things don't seem right. When I think about my kid's education, a home and post retirement corpus for us, I am ok to stay a corporate slave and sacrifice the time I can stay with my kid just to secure family's future.”

Several others echoed the sentiment that starting a business or startup often demands even more time than a job. One response bluntly summed it up: “From 11 - 11 to 24/7.”

Some advised exploring safer alternatives like switching to a less demanding job, setting boundaries at work, or building a side project before making a full exit.

What makes this post stand out is not just the dilemma itself, but how relatable it feels. Many professionals find themselves caught between financial stability and personal fulfillment, often realising the cost only when moments at home begin to slip away.