No Europe trip, no new job, just work. Indian man living in US shares how he still had the best summer

Not every summer needs to be picture-perfect with beaches in Mykonos or big job announcements. For 22-year-old Gaurav Chintamneedi, an Indian student living in the US, joy came from the simplest of moments — buying his first car, visiting his parents, and watching fireworks with family. In a viral LinkedIn post, he opened up about how gratitude for small things helped him beat the pressure of social media and reminded others that comparison is the thief of joy.

Gaurav wrote that while he didn’t have a “glamorous” summer filled with photoshoots, internships, or backpacking trips, he still found plenty to be content about. His highlights included visiting his parents in Texas twice, exploring New York and Boston with family, catching eight movies in theatres, and reuniting with his high school best friend. On a personal note, he also discovered the reasons behind his burnout and managed to get out of bed by 8 am most days — wins that felt equally important.

Social media and FOMO

Reflecting on the culture of social media, he admitted that social media can trigger FOMO. Watching others post about dream jobs or exotic trips while you’re working through long-distance relationships or struggling with interviews can easily make anyone feel left out. “Comparison is the thief of joy,” he emphasised, acknowledging that he too has fallen into that cycle.



His advice was simple: when the urge to compare strikes, step away from your phone and write down the little moments that defined your season. Whether it’s family time, a personal achievement, or something as small as keeping a routine, these moments matter. For Gaurav, this practice turned what could have been a “regular” summer into one filled with gratitude.