Comments for Post #C28053

From roommates to strangers: losing happiness in success

Hi, I’m a 30-year-old living in Chennai. I came to Chennai in 2018 knowing absolutely nothing and no one in the city. I joined a course where I met a few guys, and after a few days, we became friends and slowly became roommates. While doing our course, we all did whatever work we could to survive without depending on our parents—pamphlet distribution, catering, and Swiggy (at that time, the four of us had only two bikes). Right up until COVID and even through the pandemic, we stayed together. We struggled a lot, but we never felt like it was a struggle because we were so happy. We took late-night bus rides, went on budget trips, and when it came to birthdays, we’d cut a cake in our room, cook non-veg with drinks, and celebrate. We were literally so happy, bro. But then reality hit. After the pandemic, all four of us got jobs with salary packages we never even expected. Now we have good salaries and a comfortable lifestyle. We can afford whatever we want, but we aren't like before—that happiness isn't there anymore. Back then, we had no money, but we had full happiness and peace. Now we have money, but no peace. Moreover, it’s been more than a year since I last met my friends because everyone is busy. Now, all four of us are in the same city, but living in different places. I don't know if I'm the only one feeling this way or if they feel it too. I wanted to say this directly to them, but if they don't feel the same, it would be difficult for me to digest, so I’m sharing it here.