India’s metro cities have sold a similar dream, better jobs, bigger salaries, and a faster route to success. Yet, what if the very places designed to accelerate ambition also become breeding grounds for self-doubt?That question has found resonance online after IIT Kanpur alumnus Arjav Modi shared a reflective LinkedIn post arguing that geography does more than determine where people live; it influences how they measure their own lives.That question has ignited an engaging discussion on social media after IIT Kanpur alumnus Arjav Modi shared a thought-provoking comparison between life in Bengaluru and life in a mountain town. Rather than arguing that one lifestyle is superior to the other, Modi’s post explores a more nuanced idea: our surroundings influence not just how we live but how we perceive ourselves.
A viral LinkedIn post by IIT Kanpur alumnus Arjav Modi has triggered a discussion on how geography influences people’s perception of success. By comparing the experiences of a young professional in Bengaluru and a mountain town, the post argues that fulfilment depends not only on income but also on the social environment and expectations that shape everyday life.
A tale of two 27-year-olds
In the viral post, there are two versions of the same person. The first version sees the person as a 27-year-old earning around Rs 40 lakh in a year in Bengaluru. He stays in a three-bedroom spacious flat, travels using taxis and has his groceries delivered right at his door. By traditional standards, it is a successful urban life.However, according to the post, success is not always equal to happiness. Modi states that living in a city full of very young entrepreneurs and extremely talented people could put subtle pressure on one’s life. A person might be financially successful, yet still feel inferior because of other people’s achievements.The result, he argues, is a growing sense of loneliness, self-doubt, and the feeling that one’s “best years” may already be over.
The mountain alternative
The second scenario paints a dramatically different picture. The same 27-year-old now lives in a small mountain village, earning less than half the salary of their Bengaluru counterpart. Instead of taxis, they either ride a scooty or walk. Rather than ordering groceries online, they pick up vegetables while watching the sunset, hand in hand with their partner.The financial circumstances are more modest, but the emotional picture appears different. Here, the people around them are mostly in their thirties and older, individuals who are content with their lives, welcoming to newcomers, and optimistic about the future. Instead of feeling left behind, the young professional feels reassured that there is still ample time to grow, explore, and succeed.The comparison suggests that happiness is influenced not merely by income but by the social environment in which achievements are measured.
The geography of expectations
Modi’s post brings up the concept that is gaining relevance in psychology and behavioral research – self-evaluation by comparison.In places where innovation and competitiveness reign supreme, the criteria of success keep changing every now and then. Promotions, news about financial support, luxurious lifestyle, and posts on social media start serving as benchmarks. On the contrary, in places where life moves at a comparatively slow pace, other social rhythms apply. Professional success still matters, but not necessarily in every conversation.The difference, therefore, is not necessarily about cities versus villages. It is about the ecosystem of expectations that surrounds an individual.
Not about choosing one life over another
One of the notable aspects of Modi’s post is that it avoids portraying either lifestyle as universally better. Bengaluru remains one of India’s most dynamic technology hubs, offering opportunities that smaller towns cannot easily match. At the same time, quieter regions often provide a pace of life that many professionals increasingly seek after years in high-pressure careers.The comparison instead encourages readers to recognise that the emotional experience of success is often shaped by context. The same income, age, and career stage may feel entirely different depending on the people one interacts with every day and the values reinforced by the surrounding community.
A conversation beyond salaries
The reason for its appeal is its confrontation with an age-old presumption, a higher salary equates to increased feelings of accomplishment.Instead, the question posed is much more self-directed: Is one pursuing success or simply the feeling of success?In a world where young professionals are faced with the task of building rapidly-evolving careers, this point becomes increasingly significant.Ultimately, this debate is not so much about Bengaluru or the mountains as it is about perception. It seems at times that while we cannot always change our surroundings, we can change our perspective of them.
