Techie leaves Rs 50 lakh salary behind for solo travel, says he is ‘stepping into the unknown’

A 29-year-old techie has drawn attention online after leaving a Rs 50 lakh per annum (LPA) job without another offer lined up, choosing instead to take a break and travel alone. He said he had saved enough money to support himself for six months and wanted to step away from work to clear his head and reassess his professional direction.

During his sabbatical, the techie said he travelled solo through Thailand, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Mexico, France, the Netherlands and Spain. He is currently in Hampi, Karnataka, where he said spending time outdoors has given him the quiet he was looking for.

“I just quit my job without a new offer in hand to take a mental breather. To clear my head, I took a solo trip to Hampi, and it gave me exactly the space I needed to think about what comes next,” he wrote.


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Why he chose Hampi for his break

Describing Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the techie said he was drawn to its peaceful surroundings and lack of a major party culture.

“It’s such a serene place filled with natural beauty and hardly any party scene. The cafes are amazing, and the locals are incredibly kind,” he said.

Rather than following a tightly planned itinerary, he spent his time driving around alone and interacting with people he met along the way. He said these conversations gave him an opportunity to hear about life in smaller cities and think more deeply about his own future.

“For two days, I just drove around solo, stopping for tea at small shops. I ended up talking with random people, sharing stories, and learning about the everyday ideas and pain points of living in smaller cities,” the techie said.

‘Stepping into the unknown’

The break has not yet given him a fixed answer about what comes next, but he said he hopes the experience will help him make clearer professional decisions.

“I’m stepping into the unknown right now, but I really hope this break gives me the clarity I need for my professional career,” he added.

His decision to leave a high-paying job without securing another position beforehand quickly resonated with social media users, many of whom viewed the sabbatical as a bold attempt to reassess priorities.

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Techie’s decision resonates with other travellers

One user described the decision as a refreshing way to pause and reconsider life, writing, “This honestly sounds like such a refreshing way to take a step back. Must have taken a lot of courage indeed!”

Another said the story encouraged them to consider taking a similar break: “Thanks for sharing this story. I have been wondering for quite some time about making a trip like this to get back control of my life. You inspired me.”

A third commenter shared a similar experience, saying, “Did the same thing! This is my 8th month solo travelling after quitting my job. Have travelled across 25+ Destinations across the country, right from Himachal to Kerala/Tamil Nadu. I can call this one of my best decisions ever.”

Another user recalled taking a year away from work without travelling at all. “I took a break of 1 year sometime back. I didn't even travel, just used to go from room to gym, back to room daily. But that year was the best year of my adult life,” the user wrote.

The responses reflected a broader interest in taking planned breaks from demanding careers, with several users relating the techie’s decision to their own experiences of stepping away from work to reassess their lives.