A 23-year-old Delhi-based entrepreneur, Kushal Arora, recently found himself at the center of a social media storm after sharing his version of the “dream life” in a post on X. In his detailed account, Arora highlighted the sacrifices he made and the relentless dedication that helped him achieve an astounding annual income of $500,000 (approximately Rs 4.2 crore). He spoke about the long hours of work, the personal compromises, and the challenges he overcame to reach such a high level of financial success at a young age.
23-year-old man’s post on ‘dream life’ goes viral, internet criticises him | Credit: X
However, rather than receiving widespread admiration for his accomplishments, Arora’s post sparked significant backlash. Many social media users felt his story was out of touch with reality and argued that it placed unnecessary pressure on younger generations. Critics pointed out that while success stories like his can be motivational, they often create unrealistic expectations, making young people feel inadequate if they aren’t achieving similar financial milestones.
The post fueled a broader debate about the dangers of glorifying financial success and hard work at the expense of personal well-being, especially in an era where mental health and work-life balance are increasingly important. Instead of being seen as an inspiring tale of entrepreneurship, Arora’s story was viewed by many as contributing to the rising pressure on youth to meet unattainable standards of success, sparking a wave of negative reactions across social media platforms.
“I am 23 years old, earning over $5,00,000 annually. When students of my age were partying and chilling, I was: Having sleepless nights working, missing social events, dealing with failures/rejection, and losing work-life balance. But I chose that. Are you building your dream life,” he wrote on X
Several social media users reacted to the man’s post. “I was partying at that age and now earning more than you have mentioned. What I want to say is if it is working for you, then it doesn’t mean it will work for everyone. Another example is lakhs of players dedicate their lives to getting a chance to play for India, but only 11 qualify,” one social media user commented.
23-year-old man’s post on ‘dream life’ goes viral, internet criticises him | Credit: X
“You lived your life, they are living theirs. Not everyone dreams of earning so much, stop making it a fancy show-off,” another one wrote.