'I cry before work': 34-year-old techie earning Rs 40L is mentally drained and seeks advice on career break

Making big money doesn’t always mean peace of mind. A 34-year-old woman earning a hefty Rs 40 lakh a year has sparked a conversation online after admitting that her job leaves her so exhausted that she often breaks down before work. Despite being financially stable and successful on paper, she confessed she feels burned out after grinding non-stop for 12 years — and is now wondering if it’s time to hit pause.

Sharing her story on Reddit, the woman revealed she works as an Analytical Lead with a CTC of 40L but feels mentally and physically drained. “I cry before work,” she admitted, explaining that the stress has started affecting her health too. She hasn’t been able to prioritise her well-being, and the burnout has finally caught up with her.

With year-end approaching, she’s considering taking a 3–4 month career break to recharge and restart around January or February, when hiring generally picks up. The problem? She has financial commitments and can only manage about six months without income. Her biggest worry is whether this pause will hurt her chances of returning at the same salary level.


She also opened up about her long career grind, saying she has been working continuously for the past 12 years without a real break. While her heart tells her to slow down, her mind worries about professional setbacks. “I’d love to know how career breaks are usually perceived. Do they impact salary negotiations or re-entry opportunities?” she asked, reaching out for both personal stories and industry insights.

Internet reacts
Many users encouraged her to put mental health first, saying a break is better than forcing herself through misery. Some suggested cutting down daily expenses so her savings last longer, while others reminded her that work is only a part of life, not the reason to live.

A few people advised exploring a sabbatical instead of outright quitting, since being unemployed can reduce leverage in salary negotiations. Others recommended small lifestyle tweaks like taking short monthly breaks, shifting roles within the company, or even switching to a less intense job for a while.


One commenter, who said they were in a similar position as a Data Science Manager, admitted they were also struggling and considering a shift to a more functional role. Several also pointed out the importance of checking health factors like vitamin deficiencies, surrounding oneself with people, and not being afraid of a career break since hiring managers are more understanding these days, though finding a new role may take up to six months.