For many working professionals, quitting a stable corporate job often feels like the ultimate dream. No office politics, no Monday anxiety, no fixed schedules and finally, the freedom to do what truly makes them happy. Social media is filled with stories of people walking away from traditional careers to chase passion projects, creative ambitions or simply a slower life. But what happens after the excitement fades? A recent LinkedIn post by Hiya Dhariwal is now starting conversations online because it talks honestly about the part people rarely discuss, the uncertainty that follows after leaving stability behind.‘Freedom’ looked different in realityIn her now-viral post, Hiya Dhariwal opened up about quitting her corporate job and how different the experience felt from what she had imagined. She admitted that for a long time, she romanticised the idea of leaving corporate life behind. In her mind, it meant freedom from strict schedules, endless work calls and the constant wait for weekends.However, once she actually stepped away from the routine, things became emotionally complicated. She explained that the absence of structure felt unsettling. "Suddenly, there was no structure telling me what comes next. No familiar routine. No team calls. No log in tomorrow and continue. And honestly? That silence can feel uncomfortable."Hiya also shared that there were moments when she began questioning her decision. She wondered whether she had underestimated the importance of stability in life. Her honest reflection resonated with many professionals online who relate to burnout, work fatigue and the pressure of constantly performing in corporate environments.You Might Also Like:At the same time, she clarified that she does not regret her experience in the corporate world. According to her, those years gave her discipline, confidence and professionalism. She also credited her workplace experiences for introducing her to people who shaped her personally and professionally.Why the post reminded people of TamashaThe viral post quickly reminded social media users of Tamasha, the 2015 film directed by Imtiaz Ali. The movie, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, followed Ved Vardhan Sahni, a corporate employee who feels trapped in a routine life before rediscovering his passion for storytelling and theatre.Although the film did not perform strongly at the box office during its theatrical release, it slowly gained cult status over the years, especially among young working professionals. Many viewers deeply connected with Ved’s struggle between financial stability and creative fulfilment.The film became particularly popular among people who felt exhausted by corporate culture and secretly dreamed of pursuing artistic careers. For some viewers, Tamasha even became a source of courage to leave conventional jobs behind and follow creative ambitions.Imtiaz Ali admitted he feels ‘guilty’Moreover, Imtiaz Ali himself recently admitted that he has mixed emotions when people tell him they quit stable careers after watching Tamasha.Speaking to News18, the filmmaker quipped, "I feel terribly guilty. Recently, I went to Boman Irani’s Spiral Bound, a writers’ convention, and he did a magnificent job with it. A lot of new writers were there. So many of them came up to me and told me they left their jobs after watching Tamasha and now they’re writers. The instant thought that came to my mind is, I hope they succeed. If they don’t, then I become responsible for the disaster in their lives. I feel responsible and guilty not only towards the person but also towards their whole families – their wives, suffering children and parents. Their parents may have had aspirations ki mera beta engineer banega aur aage America mein kaam karega."The director also spoke about the pressures families face, especially when parents have traditional expectations regarding stable careers and financial security. At the same time, he acknowledged that every artist in the industry has gone through similar struggles while trying to build creative careers.Imtiaz Ali is currently gearing up for his next movie Main Vaapas Aaunga with Sharvari Wagh, Diljit Dosanjh and Vedang Raina. The movie is scheduled to hit the theatres on June 21.