‘Something to lose’: Bengaluru man explains why ₹2 lakh salary makes career risks harder
Shashank Dixit said reaching this salary can create a sense that life and career are going well enough. The income, according to him, can reassure parents, support a comfortable lifestyle and allow people to enjoy their weekends without having to worry excessively about money.
A Bengaluru-based man has sparked a debate on social media after arguing that earning ₹2 lakh a month can become a “dangerous” comfort zone. In a post on X, Shashank Dixit said the figure is not concerning because it is too low, but because it can provide just enough financial security for people to become comfortable and stop pursuing bigger ambitions.
Why ₹2 lakh a month can become a comfort zone
Dixit said reaching this salary can create a sense that life and career are going well enough. The income, according to him, can reassure parents, support a comfortable lifestyle and allow people to enjoy their weekends without having to worry excessively about money.
" ₹2L/month is the most dangerous number. Not because it's too little, because it's just enough, Just Enough!!!" Dixit wrote.
"Slowly, your salary becomes your identity, You focus on maintaining income instead of increasing your value, Comfort zone becomes permanent," he wrote.
‘Something to lose’ makes risks harder
According to Dixit, giving up a stable job becomes increasingly difficult once people become accustomed to a particular income and lifestyle. The fear of losing that security can discourage them from pursuing uncertain opportunities.
" ₹2 lakh a month is a lot to bet on something with no guarantee. So you stop betting," he wrote.
He added that people may continue delaying their ambitions, convincing themselves that they will take action "next month" or "next year".
"After a long time, you realise you never lost your ambition. You just started earning enough to ignore it," Dixit concluded.
Post sparks debate on X
Dixit’s post resonated with several users, with many agreeing that financial comfort can make it harder to take career risks.
One user wrote, "2L a month buying comfort is real, but the ones who keep building anyway while comfortable are the ones who actually break out later."
"Totally agree, 200,000 INR is a comfort zone in India. And it's difficult to take risk and become an entrepreneur from there. I tried once for 2 years, and it was great learning," commented another.
"Been there and completely agree. But you gotta push harder for something beyond these numbers," wrote a third user.
"This is so real, man. It's extremely tough to let go of the comfort, especially when you're young and don't have responsibilities," said another.
"Funnily enough, when I started my startup, the job I was doing was paying me 2 lakhs/month, and that was nearly 4.5 years ago. If you are true to yourself, you can very clearly see the golden bars of the cage around you," wrote one user.
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. Livemint has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
About the Author
Kanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. <br><br> With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. <br><br> She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. <br><br> Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations.
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