‘I spent years preparing for a layoff’: Bengaluru designer with ₹20 lakh savings feels no panic after being laid off

Most people spend years preparing for promotions. One Bengaluru-based designer says they spent years preparing for a layoff.In a Reddit post that has sparked discussion online, the professional shared how growing up with financial constraints, entering the workforce without a college degree, and consistently prioritizing savings over lifestyle upgrades helped build a corpus of around ₹20 lakh.

So when their entire team was recently laid off, the news did not trigger panic. Instead, it reinforced a decision they had already been considering: leaving corporate life behind and starting a business.

From Class 12 to a career in design

The Reddit user said family circumstances prevented them from pursuing higher education.“I don't have a bachelor's degree, and due to family constraints, after completing 12th, I had to start working immediately,” they wrote.According to the post, they entered the workforce in 2018 with “no skills and no clear career plan” and landed a graphic design job at a small shop in Bengaluru.

Over the next several years, they learned on the job, moved to larger companies, and steadily increased their income.“Over the years, I worked hard, learned how to do the job, moved to a larger company, and steadily grew my income from ₹12,000 to ₹65,000 pm,” the user said.

Choosing savings over lifestyle upgrades

As their income increased, the designer said they resisted the temptation to significantly increase spending.“While many people around me upgraded their lifestyles, took loans, and bought things on EMI, I aggressively invested my salary, avoided debt, and treated every salary hike as an opportunity to strengthen my future rather than increase my expenses,” they wrote.The strategy, according to the post, helped them accumulate savings of around ₹20 lakh entirely through their earnings.

A layoff that felt different

The user recently revealed that their entire team was laid off.Yet the experience was not as overwhelming as many might expect.“Strangely, I don't feel devastated because I have been preparing for this day for years,” they wrote.The statement resonated with several readers, many of whom pointed to the importance of financial planning in an uncertain job market.

Why they're ready to move on

Beyond the layoff, the Redditor said the changing nature of the design industry also influenced their thinking.“The industry feels very different now. AI is automating many design tasks, and I don't want to spend the next decade chasing new tools, trends, and courses just to remain in a field I never truly loved,” they wrote.Rather than continue down the same path, the user said they would rather focus on building something of their own.

Planning a return home

Looking ahead, the professional said they plan to return to their hometown and start a business.“I think this is the right time to move back to my hometown and start a business,” they wrote.The user added that they still believe there is “enormous value in solving real-world problems, building local relationships, and creating something tangible that isn't entirely dependent on a computer screen.”Before ending the post, they asked entrepreneurs and former employees who had taken a similar leap whether they believed the decision made sense.The post has since drawn attention online for its candid account of career uncertainty, financial discipline, and the growing number of professionals reassessing what they want from work in an era of rapid technological change.Disclaimer: This article is based on claims made by a Reddit user in a public post. The Times of India has not independently verified the individual's identity, financial details, or personal experiences. Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)