Life has become so dry and meaningless nowadays. Struggle connects us on some level. I’d love to hear your stories of struggle and how you overcame it.
Here’s my story. I studied B.E for 7 years because of backlogs. Every year was a new batch, no friends. Extreme depression, humiliation everywhere. Isolated myself from an extremely judgmental society. Confidence had no meaning in my life. Somehow struggled and cleared all the backlogs. Studied programming and web design. Started working for free. After 1 year, first salary was 2k per month. Then 18k. Then 30k. I always felt dumb because of the backlogs. Want to rectify it. So went to the US with the only admit I got. Studied my ass off. GPA 3.95. But I was broke again. Cried my eyes out multiple times because I had no money for food. Couldn’t tell this to parents.
Found a job later after many many applications. Happiest moment of achievement was when I bought my first 43 inch LED TV. With my own money.
Current pay: over 2L / mo.
My Story: 2015: Just finished school in the UK. Had an admit for 1 of the top universities in the UK but had to move back to India due to unforeseen circumstances. Was at the top of my class in school. Got admitted into a college in India pursuing electronics. I wanted to switch my branch at the end of 1st year to Computer Science. Wanted to get into shape as I had been chubby as a child.
2015 - 2018: Barely passed exams. Failed a course for the first time in my life. CGPA was five point something out of 10. Got even more out of shape. Had a crush on this girl for months, dated for a couple or so and then had the worst heart break of my life. Still had interest for computer science so, did a couple of unpaid interships and multiple projects by myself so that I could keep on learning.
2018(beginning of final year): Realised that there's no one coming to save me and if I want to succeed in life I gotta do it myself. Started applying for master's in the US as I really wanted to live the same lifestyle that I had back in the UK. Started studying hard for the courses in college as well. Everyone was getting placed and here I was not able to clear the CGPA cutoffs for any company. I was probably eligible for 3-4 companies throughout the placement season. Didn't get placed in 7th sem. Ended 7th sem with a 8.0 Semester GPA.
continued: 2019(final semester): Weighed 112 KGs at this point. Started working out and following a strict diet. Didn't lag in any aspect at all. Lost 9 Kgs in a month and that gave me tremendous motivation. Got shortlisted for a startup, interviewed and got selected with a pay of 11LPA. I still remember tears dripping when I got a call from the HR saying I was selected. That, till date continues to be the happiest moment of my life and I still get goosebumps. End the sem with 8 SGPA again. Got 10/10 in the final year project. On the last day of college I weighed 85KGs. Overall CGPA still remained 5 point something as the final year 8 was not enough to pull it out of the shit show of the past 3 years.
2020: COVID came. WFH started. The company did paycuts and laid some people off. Stopped following diet and gyms were closed. Started gaining weight. I switched to another company thinking they might lay me off as well. 18.5LPA
2021: Gained more weight. Got an offer for 30LPA. Was counter offered by my then current company just 2 days before the notice period ended. Thought it would be a good idea to stay back, collect 3 months salary slips with new pay and leave later as I didn't see a future in that company. Stayed for a few months at 33LPA.
2021 H2: Got an offer for 49LPA. Switched. Weight kept increasing
2022 : WFO started. Started going to the gym but was not as consistent as before. Didn't care about my diet. Weighed 108KGs in November. Started working out consistently with proper diet. Last time I lost weight, I lost muscle too and i didn't want to make the same mistake again. I tracked calories and protein.
2023: Down to 83 KGs with a 6 pack. Switched to a Big Tech company with 1Cr package. Looking back, it feels like I'm glad I went through all the shit I went through at that time.
Bhai mujhe guide Karo na, mai bhi acchi job karna chahta hu acchi company me
Fucked up my scores in engineering entrance exams. From 91% in 10th to 59% in 12th. Family was in shock! Got admitted to a fuck all engineering college in some other state.
Was in denial for the first two years.
Low scores. Cigarettes. No aspirations.
In retrospect, I think the first 2 years of engineering just flew by me because of my poor basics in Math, Physics etc. From the 3rd year; I got into the groove. Probably was in the top 5 in the department for last two years.
Couldn't get placed because of 59% in 12th. Lol.
Couldn't get any job for a year. Cried. Lost of the weight. Family became too judgemental. Ran away to Bangalore.
Started working for 3k per month. Used to skip breakfast alternate days. The day I had breakfast would walk 3kms to home to save those 10 rupees of bus fare.
3k per month 14k 32k . . Now at 3.5L per month.
I turned out fine. I think. Now I know I have a fighter in me. Gives me a different confidence when I think of those days :)
Oh you skipped over the comeback story way too quickly! Would love to hear more, perhaps with a timeline?
In a similar situation to your beginning.
We have similar journeys. More power to you, keep on keeping on 🔥🔥
I married in December 2019 and my wife filed a divorce case in 2020 during the pandemic. The case was filed in a court more than 1,000 km from Bangalore. She alleged harrassment and sought compensation. I had to travel to the court whenever the case came up for hearing. After about 2 years, she herself got so sick of the proceedings that she herself dropped all charges and sought a mutually agreeable divorce without any compensation. She got reprimanded by the judge for wasting years of the court's time. After seeking mutually agreeable divorce, the case was sent on a cooling period for 6 months. Even today after several more hearings the case is yet to be closed. This lengthy procedure had a severe impact on my personal and professional life. I have realized that I get easily irritated and loose temper very quickly. I just keep continuously blaming myself and have no idea about when this ordeal will end.
Congratulations buddy! Wishing you nothing but the best for your future. :)
Want to share my story as well, but not today. It will be way too long to narrate. Maybe some other day. Way more things to achieve before that. :)
I used to stammer since birth. Throughout my school life I used to think 3-4 times and practice on my mind before I actually spoke even a word. Naturally, I was an extremely introverted person and dreaded speaking in front of anyone and everyone, thinking I would be laughed off.
I also had a poor eyesight and was immensely afraid to talk about it thinking that I would be made fun of by friends. I still remember, how I used to wish for sitting on the front bench and at the same team dreaded if my teacher would ask me anything during the class.
I literally felt handicapped: dumb (who couldn't speak) + blind (who couldn't see)
There were many instances I felt like quitting (suicidal) and I used to ponder upon my sad life and purpose of living. Because of these, I used to force myself to be good in studies. I also happened to start playing badminton.
Fast forward, I cracked IIT JEE and I practiced speaking (to myself in solitude) my ass off. I watched every possible video on youtube and read motivational videos on overcoming stammering and for building self esteem and confidence. I was the badminton captain of my school and university. Today after 8 YOE, I earn well (60 lpa), and can also speak fluently in front of anyone. When I look back, if there's one thing I truly feel satisfied about, it's my perseverance.
Whatever come may, don't ever ever underestimate what you (a human being) can do. Don't hesitate to surprise yourself with your latent potential. You have just one life. :)
Your story is inspiring, I can imagine how difficult it would’ve been for you. Congratulations and keep growing 🔥🫡
Looking back, I can hardly believe the path my life has taken. I'm Vikram Sharma, and this is my story.
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