Does geography influence thinking? IIT alumnus compares Bengaluru and mountain life to explain why your surroundings shape your mindset

Can the place where a person lives shape the way they think about life? That is the idea shared by IIT Kanpur alumnus Arjav Modi in a post on LinkedIn. Using a simple comparison between life in Bengaluru and life in a small mountain town, he explained how surroundings, the people around us and the pace of everyday life can influence emotions and perspective.

The post does not present one lifestyle as the right choice for everyone. Instead, it compares two different situations to show how the same person might feel differently depending on where they live.

Bengaluru life

In the first example, Modi pictures a 27-year-old living in Bengaluru with a high-paying annual salary. The person lives in a three-bedroom apartment, travels by cabs and orders groceries online.


Even with a high-paying job and modern conveniences, the comparison suggests that constantly being surrounded by younger professionals achieving success can make someone feel like they are falling behind.

He wrote: "You're 27, living in a 3bhk of bengaluru. Your salary is around 40 lakhs. You commute by an Uber every day and order groceries from Zepto. You see super young people around you. You feel that your best years are gone. You feel behind in life from kids who are just 21. You feel lonely & sad."

A different picture in the mountains

The second example shifts to a mountain village. Here, the 27-year-old earns less than half of what the Bengaluru counterpart makes, lives in a one-bedroom home and either walks or uses a scooty for daily travel.

The comparison focuses on slower routines, including buying vegetables while watching the sunset with a partner. It also describes being surrounded by people in their thirties and beyond who are happy, welcoming and doing well in life.

According to the post: "You're 27, living in a 1bhk of a mountain village. Your salary is not even half of your Bengaluru friend's. You have a scooty, or you walk on foot and go for vegetable shopping with a great sunset, holding your partner's hands. You see people around you who are 30+. They are doing great in life, they are happy, and cheerful. They make you feel welcomed & comfortable. You feel that your best years are actually ahead of you."

'Where you live decides how you think'

Summing up the comparison, Modi wrote, "Just my observation after 4 months of living in this small mountain town I call home now. where you live decides how you think & function."

He also addressed people who had been messaging him for information about the place. In the post, he wrote, "ps: For all the people asking about location, guide, rentals, etc etc in dm - it's okay to be curious, but actually sound curious. don't be like - hey, give me details & then run away with that. small town life is not great for people who just talk to people for their own benefit, and are entitled about what all they have achieved in their lives."

The comparison looks at how everyday surroundings can shape a person's outlook. It suggests that factors such as community, daily interactions and the pace of life may influence how people see themselves and their future, regardless of where they choose to live.