Cracked JEE, got a job, bought a car, still not enough? Ankur Warikoo's 'achha hai, but...' post hits home

For many people, life’s biggest milestones arrive after years of effort. Getting into a good college, landing a stable job, earning a respectable salary, or buying a first car often feels like proof that hard work has paid off. Yet the satisfaction rarely lasts as long as expected. Almost immediately, comparisons begin to creep in. Someone else seems to be doing slightly better, earning more, or owning something bigger. Entrepreneur and content creator Ankur Warikoo recently captured this familiar experience in a social media post that quickly resonated with thousands online.

In the post, Warikoo laid out a sequence of life achievements that many young Indians work toward. A student manages to get into a decent college, only to hear that a Tier 1 institution would have been better. Clearing competitive exams such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), or the Chartered Accountancy exams becomes another milestone, but even that accomplishment is quickly followed by reminders that the real journey has only just begun.

The pattern continues into professional life. Someone who starts earning Rs 1 lakh a month after a year of work may expect appreciation, yet comparisons quickly appear with relatives or peers earning more. A promotion at work also fails to escape scrutiny, as people begin asking whether the role still reports to a manager or has reached the managerial level itself.


Warikoo also pointed out how the same mindset follows people into lifestyle choices. Buying a car, often considered a major achievement for many young professionals, can instantly be overshadowed by comparisons with a neighbour’s more expensive vehicle. Even purchasing a 2 BHK flat, which for many families represents years of savings and effort, may be met with suggestions that an independent house would have been better.

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A post shared by Ankur Warikoo (@ankurwarikoo)

Through this series of examples, Warikoo highlighted a simple but powerful observation. Personal milestones often bring genuine happiness, yet that happiness fades when society constantly introduces new benchmarks. No matter what someone achieves, there is always a bigger comparison waiting around the corner.

According to Warikoo, this tendency creates an endless cycle where success begins to feel like a moving target. Instead of celebrating progress, people get trapped in a race defined by external expectations. Each accomplishment becomes less meaningful because attention quickly shifts to what someone else has achieved.

In the caption accompanying the post, Warikoo encouraged readers to pause and reflect on a different perspective. He reminded people to think about the moments in the past when they wished for the very things they now possess. Recognising that an earlier version of oneself can help restore gratitude for progress that might otherwise feel ordinary today.

Warikoo also argued that allowing society to define personal milestones often leads to a life spent chasing validation rather than fulfilment. When every achievement is measured against someone else’s progress, the finish line keeps moving further away.

Internet reacts

The post sparked a wave of reactions online, with many users saying the message felt deeply relatable. Several people shared that the pressure of comparison often leaves them reflecting on how things could have turned out differently, especially when life does not unfold exactly as they once hoped. For some, that lingering sense of “what could have been” can create feelings of regret, making Warikoo’s observations resonate even more strongly.

Others pointed out how expectations tend to grow as people move forward in life. According to them, every new achievement seems to raise the bar for the next one, which makes it harder to feel satisfied with the progress already made. As careers advance or lifestyles improve, the pressure to meet even higher standards often increases, creating an endless cycle of comparisons.

Some users also highlighted the importance of distancing oneself from what they described as toxic or judgmental societal attitudes. They emphasised that learning to appreciate even small achievements can help people maintain a healthier perspective. In their view, life is ultimately about experiences and personal growth rather than constantly measuring success against someone else’s standards.

A few reactions also drew parallels between the comparison culture Warikoo described and the way people present themselves in everyday life. They noted that even choices such as clothing can become expressions of social pressure, with individuals sometimes dressing to match someone else’s idea of success. According to these users, embracing personal identity rather than external validation can be one of the simplest ways to step out of the constant comparison loop.