India’s metropolitan cities have sold a similar dream, better jobs, bigger salaries and a faster route to success. However, what if the very places designed to accelerate ambition also become breeding grounds for doubt?This question has found resonance online after IIT Kanpur alumnus Arjav Modi shared a thoughtful LinkedIn post arguing that geography does more than determine where people live; it influences how they measure their own lives.This question has sparked an engaging discussion on social media after IIT Kanpur alumnus Arjav Modi shared an interesting comparison between life in Bangalore and life in a hill town. Rather than arguing that one lifestyle is superior to the other, Modi’s post explores a more nuanced idea: our environment influences not only how we live but how we perceive ourselves.
A viral LinkedIn post by IIT Kanpur alumnus Arjav Modi has sparked a discussion about how geography influences people’s perception of success. By comparing the experiences of a young professional in Bangalore and a hill town, the publication argues that fulfillment depends not only on income, but also on the social environment and expectations that shape everyday life.
A story 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 a year in Bangalore. He lives in a spacious three-bedroom flat, travels in taxis and has his groceries delivered straight to his door. By traditional standards, it’s a successful urban life.However, according to the post, success does not always equal happiness. Modi claims that living in a city full of very young entrepreneurs and very talented people could put a subtle strain on life. A person can be financially successful but still feel inferior because of other people’s achievements.The result, he argues, is a growing sense of loneliness, self-doubt, and a sense that one’s “best years” are over.
The mountain alternative
The second scenario paints a dramatically different picture. The same 27-year-old now lives in a small mountain village and earns less than half the salary of his Bangalore counterpart. Instead of taxis, they take a motorbike or walk. Instead of ordering groceries online, they pick vegetables while watching the sunset, hand in hand with their partner.The financial circumstances are more modest, but the emotional landscape seems different. Here, the people around them are mostly in their thirties and older, people who are satisfied with their lives, welcoming of newcomers and optimistic about the future. Instead of feeling behind, the young professional feels reassured that there is still plenty of time to grow, explore and succeed.The comparison suggests that happiness is influenced not only by income, but also by the social environment in which achievements are measured.
The geography of expectations
Modi’s post raises a concept that is gaining prominence in psychology and behavioral research: self-evaluation by comparison.In places where innovation and competitiveness reign supreme, the criteria for success keep changing from time to time. Promotions, news about financial support, luxury lifestyle and social media posts are starting to serve as benchmarks. Conversely, in places where life moves at a relatively slow pace, other social rhythms apply. Career success is still important, but not necessarily in every conversation.The difference, therefore, is not necessarily between cities and towns. It is the ecosystem of expectations that surrounds an individual.
It’s not about choosing one life over another
One of the notable aspects of Modi’s post is that he avoids portraying any one lifestyle as universally best. Bangalore continues to be one of India’s most dynamic technology hubs, offering opportunities that smaller cities cannot easily match. At the same time, quieter regions often offer a pace of life that many professionals increasingly seek after years in high-pressure careers.Instead, the comparison encourages readers to recognize that the emotional experience of success is often shaped by context. The same income, age and career stage can feel completely different depending on the people you interact with every day and the values reinforced by the community around you.
A conversation beyond salaries
The reason for its appeal is its confrontation with an old conceit, a higher salary equals increased feelings of accomplishment.Instead, the question that arises is much more self-directed: is success sought 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 Bangalore or the mountains as it is about perception. Sometimes it seems that while we can’t always change our environment, we can change our perspective on it.