Why Most Indians Regret Their Career Choices by 40
Riya Kumari | Jan 16, 2025, 23:46 IST
Okay, imagine this: you’re 40, staring at your reflection like it’s a mirror in a horror movie. You’ve got the job, the status, the paychecks—and yet, somewhere deep down, something doesn’t feel right. Your career is fine, but is it really yours? Did you follow a path you wanted, or just one that made sense at the time? It’s like you got caught in a life trap where success doesn’t look as shiny as you thought it would.
You’re 40. You’ve survived the awkward years of early adulthood, and now you’re standing in front of your own reflection asking, “What next?” The answer? Anything you want. The beauty of life is that it's a story with multiple chapters, and you haven’t even finished yours yet. So go ahead—regret the career choices, laugh at the irony, and then take that next step towards something that makes you feel alive. And remember: it’s okay to change course. After all, who said life has to be one straight line?
The Promise of Youth vs. Reality
You remember when you were 18, don’t you? Full of dreams, full of potential, and sure that you had the world at your feet. The possibilities were endless, or at least that’s how everyone made it seem. You could be anything: a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer—anything that brought prestige and security, because that’s what everyone said mattered. The rest? Well, those were the hobbies you dabbled in between the important stuff. Fast forward 20 years, and you’re standing there, looking at the person in the mirror, wondering where it all went. The excitement you once had about life and career seems like a distant memory. And in its place is something far less thrilling: regret. You don’t even know when it happened, but suddenly, your career feels more like a well-worn track that you’re just too tired to leave.
The Weight of Expectations
It’s hard to blame anyone for this. After all, expectations don’t come out of thin air. From the moment you could walk, the message was clear: be successful. Be safe. Be a person who doesn’t have to struggle. And sure, security is important, but somewhere along the way, security became synonymous with “settling.” And there you were, 22 years old, making decisions based on what would “make sense” for your future. Not your dream future. Not the one where you followed your passion or dared to take risks. But the one where you followed the script. Engineering, medicine, or business—these were the paths laid out for you, all neat and easy to follow, each one promising a life of comfort and respect. But comfort doesn’t always equal fulfillment. And while you’ve built a life that many would envy, there’s this gnawing feeling that something’s missing. That something is passion—the one thing you weren’t allowed to explore when the world was busy telling you what to do.
The Burden of Being “Successful”
Now let’s talk about success. You worked for it, didn’t you? You put in the hours, met all the deadlines, and climbed that corporate ladder. You sacrificed sleep, weekends, and maybe even friendships, all for that elusive feeling of achievement. And then, one day, it hits you. You’ve got everything you thought you wanted, but you feel... empty. Success, you realize, is a hollow prize when you didn’t actually choose it for yourself. Your job, the one that pays well, that gives you status, that makes your parents proud—it’s not the thing that makes you wake up with excitement. The trap of earning money to fund a life that feels distant from who you truly are—now that’s a harder burden to carry than you ever imagined.
The Fear of Disappointment
Here’s the kicker: you feel bad about feeling bad. You should be grateful, right? You’re lucky. But that thought only makes you feel worse. You’re not unhappy because you want more; you’re unhappy because, deep down, you know there’s something more meaningful you should have pursued. But how can you admit that after everything you’ve built? There’s this constant worry hanging over you: What if I disappoint my parents? My friends? What if I fail? And so, you keep going. You keep pretending it’s fine, even though your heart is telling you that it’s not. But let’s be honest. Most of the people in your life who are pushing you in one direction, they’re not living your life. They’re not the ones stuck in the day-to-day grind of something that doesn’t truly inspire them. But you, you're left with the weight of their good intentions and the fear of failure that comes with following your own dreams.
The Moment You Realize It’s Never Too Late
Now here’s where the story gets real: you can change. You don’t have to wait until 60 or 70 to find that spark again. It’s possible to make your life something you’re proud of, no matter what age you are. In fact, being in your 40s might be the best time to do it. You’ve got experience, wisdom, and a better understanding of who you are. The energy and drive you had at 22 may be a distant memory, but that’s okay. You’re no longer looking for someone else’s version of success. You’ve realized that success isn’t a straight line—it’s about finding something that makes you feel alive. Maybe it’s not starting a billion-dollar business. Maybe it’s shifting your focus toward work that brings you peace, or maybe it’s finally diving into that creative field you always loved but were too afraid to pursue. Whatever it is, you’re allowed to change course, even if it feels scary. After all, it’s your life. Only you get to decide how to live it.
The Power of Regret
Regret can feel like a heavy burden to carry. It’s tempting to see it as something negative, but in many ways, regret is just a sign of how much you care. It’s a signal that you want more from life than just getting by. And if you’re willing to sit with it, to truly listen to it, regret can guide you toward a future that actually feels like yours. So here you are. At 40. Wondering if it’s too late to change. Here’s the truth: it’s not. Life is messy, unpredictable, and full of second chances. And while you can’t go back and change the past, you can use that regret to fuel the next chapter of your story. Don’t let it be the end of your journey—let it be the beginning of something even more meaningful. You’ve got time. You’ve got wisdom. And most importantly, you’ve got yourself.
The Promise of Youth vs. Reality
Promise
You remember when you were 18, don’t you? Full of dreams, full of potential, and sure that you had the world at your feet. The possibilities were endless, or at least that’s how everyone made it seem. You could be anything: a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer—anything that brought prestige and security, because that’s what everyone said mattered. The rest? Well, those were the hobbies you dabbled in between the important stuff. Fast forward 20 years, and you’re standing there, looking at the person in the mirror, wondering where it all went. The excitement you once had about life and career seems like a distant memory. And in its place is something far less thrilling: regret. You don’t even know when it happened, but suddenly, your career feels more like a well-worn track that you’re just too tired to leave.
The Weight of Expectations
Weight
It’s hard to blame anyone for this. After all, expectations don’t come out of thin air. From the moment you could walk, the message was clear: be successful. Be safe. Be a person who doesn’t have to struggle. And sure, security is important, but somewhere along the way, security became synonymous with “settling.” And there you were, 22 years old, making decisions based on what would “make sense” for your future. Not your dream future. Not the one where you followed your passion or dared to take risks. But the one where you followed the script. Engineering, medicine, or business—these were the paths laid out for you, all neat and easy to follow, each one promising a life of comfort and respect. But comfort doesn’t always equal fulfillment. And while you’ve built a life that many would envy, there’s this gnawing feeling that something’s missing. That something is passion—the one thing you weren’t allowed to explore when the world was busy telling you what to do.
The Burden of Being “Successful”
On top of the world
Now let’s talk about success. You worked for it, didn’t you? You put in the hours, met all the deadlines, and climbed that corporate ladder. You sacrificed sleep, weekends, and maybe even friendships, all for that elusive feeling of achievement. And then, one day, it hits you. You’ve got everything you thought you wanted, but you feel... empty. Success, you realize, is a hollow prize when you didn’t actually choose it for yourself. Your job, the one that pays well, that gives you status, that makes your parents proud—it’s not the thing that makes you wake up with excitement. The trap of earning money to fund a life that feels distant from who you truly are—now that’s a harder burden to carry than you ever imagined.
The Fear of Disappointment
Disappointment
Here’s the kicker: you feel bad about feeling bad. You should be grateful, right? You’re lucky. But that thought only makes you feel worse. You’re not unhappy because you want more; you’re unhappy because, deep down, you know there’s something more meaningful you should have pursued. But how can you admit that after everything you’ve built? There’s this constant worry hanging over you: What if I disappoint my parents? My friends? What if I fail? And so, you keep going. You keep pretending it’s fine, even though your heart is telling you that it’s not. But let’s be honest. Most of the people in your life who are pushing you in one direction, they’re not living your life. They’re not the ones stuck in the day-to-day grind of something that doesn’t truly inspire them. But you, you're left with the weight of their good intentions and the fear of failure that comes with following your own dreams.
The Moment You Realize It’s Never Too Late
Time
Now here’s where the story gets real: you can change. You don’t have to wait until 60 or 70 to find that spark again. It’s possible to make your life something you’re proud of, no matter what age you are. In fact, being in your 40s might be the best time to do it. You’ve got experience, wisdom, and a better understanding of who you are. The energy and drive you had at 22 may be a distant memory, but that’s okay. You’re no longer looking for someone else’s version of success. You’ve realized that success isn’t a straight line—it’s about finding something that makes you feel alive. Maybe it’s not starting a billion-dollar business. Maybe it’s shifting your focus toward work that brings you peace, or maybe it’s finally diving into that creative field you always loved but were too afraid to pursue. Whatever it is, you’re allowed to change course, even if it feels scary. After all, it’s your life. Only you get to decide how to live it.
The Power of Regret
Regret
Regret can feel like a heavy burden to carry. It’s tempting to see it as something negative, but in many ways, regret is just a sign of how much you care. It’s a signal that you want more from life than just getting by. And if you’re willing to sit with it, to truly listen to it, regret can guide you toward a future that actually feels like yours. So here you are. At 40. Wondering if it’s too late to change. Here’s the truth: it’s not. Life is messy, unpredictable, and full of second chances. And while you can’t go back and change the past, you can use that regret to fuel the next chapter of your story. Don’t let it be the end of your journey—let it be the beginning of something even more meaningful. You’ve got time. You’ve got wisdom. And most importantly, you’ve got yourself.