A Delhi-based woman has shared her journey of leaving behind a high-paying job where she earned ₹1 lakh per month, despite facing initial opposition from her parents. Mehar Verma, now working as a social media strategist and UGC creator, opened up about her experience in a video posted on Instagram. “On paper, everything looked sorted. But I was miserable”Reflecting on her time as a lawyer, Verma said her professional life appeared stable from the outside but felt unfulfilling internally.“In Feb 2024, I was working at a law firm, earning around ₹1 lakh a month. On paper, everything looked sorted. But I was miserable,” Verma said in her Instagram post. The on-screen caption in her video also highlighted the emotional struggle she experienced despite outward success.Early Career Success, But Growing DiscontentSharing her journey, she described how quickly her career progressed after law school.“At 22, I graduated from law school. Got a good job. By 24 I was making 1,00,000 a month. My parents were proud. Everything seemed right. But from inside, I was miserable. So I decided to change that,” the caption read.She added that her routine became increasingly exhausting: “Long hours, no real weekends, coming home at 9–10 PM and still working. I was constantly tired, constantly stressed, and honestly I dreaded most days,” she said.No Big Moment, Just a RealisationVerma explained that her decision to leave law was not triggered by a single event, but a gradual understanding that it wasn’t the right path for her.“There was no big moment, just a quiet, persistent feeling that this wasn’t the life I wanted. So I quit. No solid plan. No backup,” she said.Difficult Transition and Family ConcernsThe transition phase was challenging, especially due to lack of family support in the beginning.“And it wasn’t easy. My parents didn’t support the decision at the time, I felt embarrassed at family gatherings, and my first freelancing gig was just ₹10,000/month,” she wrote.Despite the setbacks, she continued building her career in content creation and strategy.“But I kept going. I showed up, created content almost every day, and figured things out along the way,” she said.From Freelancing to ₹2 Lakh/MonthOver time, her efforts began to pay off as she transitioned into social media strategy and UGC work.“Slowly, things started working. Clients came in, I found my strength in storytelling, moved into social media strategy + UGC, and within 14 months, I was earning ₹2L/month.”“This isn’t just about money”She emphasised that her story is not just about income, but about redefining success and work-life balance.“This isn’t just about money,” she wrote. “It’s about this idea we’ve all been taught — that you need to work 12–14 hours a day to succeed. I don’t agree.”A New Lifestyle and PerspectiveVerma also highlighted how her lifestyle has changed since leaving her corporate job.“I work ~6 hours a day now. I go to cafés, play pickleball, go to the gym, spend time with family, and actually enjoy my life,” she wrote.Encouraging others to reflect on their own paths, she concluded: “You don’t have to follow my path. You don’t have to quit your job. But don’t let anyone define what ‘hard work’ or ‘success’ should look like for you. If your life doesn’t feel right, you’re allowed to choose differently,” Verma advised her viewers.Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Instagram. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.