'Not everyone has that luxury': Her Bengaluru friend has not visited her family in 4 months. Her post on work-life balance sparks discussion

For many professionals, success is measured in promotions, pay hikes, and impressive job titles. But behind that polished image often sits a quieter cost: missed family dinners, postponed visits home, and conversations reduced to hurried phone calls between meetings. A recent social media post has reignited that conversation by highlighting how modern work culture can reshape everyday relationships. What began as one entrepreneur’s reflection on remote work quickly turned into a wider debate about privilege, priorities, and the true meaning of balance.

Mahima Jalan, a Dubai-based entrepreneur, took to X and shared the story of a close friend working in Bengaluru whose routine had become a striking example of how demanding corporate life can be. According to Jalan, her friend had not visited home for the last four months. Distance alone was not the issue. Even a regular connection had become difficult. She said her friend was able to speak with her parents only around twice a week because of an intense and exhausting work schedule.

The observation resonated because it captured a reality familiar to many young professionals living away from home. Long commutes, extended office hours, deadlines, and the mental fatigue that follows a packed workday can slowly shrink personal time. Family relationships may still matter deeply, but the time and energy required to nurture them often become harder to find.

Her approach to leadership

Jalan used that example to reflect on her own approach to work and leadership. She said that whenever she feels disappointed about not meeting her team in the office every day, she reminds herself of something more valuable she may be offering them: the chance to stay close to their families.


The mention of home-cooked dinners with parents struck a particular chord online. For many people, that image represents more than a meal. It signals routine, emotional support, cultural connection, and the comfort of being around loved ones after a tiring day. Something that feels ordinary to one person may be deeply out of reach for another.

That is where Jalan’s remark about privilege entered the conversation. She suggested that being able to live with family or spend regular evenings at home is not a universal reality. For countless workers who migrate to cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, or Hyderabad for career opportunities, family time often becomes something scheduled around leave calendars and public holidays.

The post also touched a nerve because it arrived at a time when conversations around burnout, hybrid work, and mental well-being continue to grow louder. Many employees are rethinking what they want from careers that once demanded unquestioned sacrifice. Stability and ambition still matter, but so do presence, flexibility, and emotional connection.

Internet reacts

Online reactions were varied and deeply personal. One user said that as an Australian expat in India, one of the biggest cultural shocks was how strongly Indians remain connected to their hometowns and families. They added that in countries like the UK, New Zealand, and Australia, many people move out between 16 and 20 and typically meet family only a few times a year once settled.

Another user shared that she had called her mother in Bengaluru because she had not seen her since their marriage. Some reflected on how social media creates constant pressure by making it seem like everyone else is achieving extraordinary things, leaving others questioning their own identity. Others said people often discuss salary and career growth, but rarely acknowledge the personal cost that can come with it.