A Reddit post by a senior backend developer has sparked a familiar but uncomfortable conversation about burnout, money, and what “stable” really means. On paper, the job is everything most people aim for, high salary, stability and a strong tech role. But the reality behind it feels very different for the professional.
The user shared his situation, writing: “Thinking of quitting my dev job, need advice. Been sitting on this for a while now…” What follows is a long reflection on monotony, isolation, and the emotional cost of staying in a well-paying job that no longer feels meaningful.
When a high-paying job starts feeling empty
The developer, working at a product-based company in a senior backend role, earns around ₹30–35 LPA. Yet the salary has stopped being enough motivation.
He describes his work as repetitive and uninspiring, adding that even new developments in AI have taken away the excitement that once came with problem-solving. Living alone in Gurgaon has only added to the fatigue - long workdays end in an empty home, with little social life or emotional balance.
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{{/usCountry}}(Also Read: 'Career change at 32': Professional seeks advice on restarting career from scratch)
{{/usCountry}}He writes that he misses his family in a smaller city and feels increasingly disconnected from the metro lifestyle. While the job offers financial comfort, it no longer offers engagement or energy.
A choice between comfort, burnout, and uncertainty
What makes the dilemma more complicated is that the developer is not financially dependent on the job. No loans, no EMIs, and family support back home give him room to consider alternatives. Those options include moving back and helping with the family business, exploring a startup idea, or eventually shifting to a remote role.
But each path comes with its own uncertainty. Quitting now could mean a resume gap. Staying, however, feels emotionally draining. He admits he knows the “smart” move is to secure another job first, but burnout has made even preparation feel impossible.
At the heart of his confusion is a question many professionals quietly struggle with, whether walking away from a high-paying job is irresponsibility or self-preservation.
The post closes with a straightforward but heavy question, asking if the money and job security still justify the mental strain, or if it is finally time to step away and start over.