‘I left my seven-figure job at 21’: Woman reveals why she quit her ‘perfect’ Barclays job without a backup, says ‘it was the most uncomfortable phase of my life when…’

For many young professionals today, career success is no longer only about salary packages and big company names. Conversations around work-life balance, mental peace, and personal fulfillment are becoming increasingly common, especially among Gen Z employees entering the corporate world early.Amid these discussions, a young woman’s story has caught attention online after she revealed why she decided to leave her seven-figure job at Barclays at just 21. In an Instagram video, she spoke about walking away from a stable corporate career because something within her did not feel right.

From college placement to a high-paying job

The woman shared that she joined Barclays after graduating from Lady Shri Ram College. According to her, she had secured a well-paying role at a reputable company at a very young age and had a clear corporate path ahead.Introducing her story, she said, “I left my seven-figure job at Barclays at the age of twenty-one, and I had no idea what I was doing.”She added, “I had the dream college and a perfect job. I mean, what else would I need, right?”

‘Something in life wasn’t clicking’

Despite career stability and financial security, she said she often questioned her future after long workdays.

“But to be honest, something in life wasn’t clicking that time. Like, I used to come back home after a really long day and just sit and think, ‘If I do this for five more years, who do I become?’”According to her, this thought stayed with her for a long time and eventually pushed her toward making a difficult decision.

She quit without another job lined up

The woman revealed that she resigned from Barclays without having another opportunity waiting. After leaving the job, she returned to Jodhpur and spent several months trying to understand what she wanted from life.“So I resigned without any job waiting for me. I came back to Jodhpur for the next five months, and trust me, it was the most uncomfortable phase of my life,” she said.She also admitted to struggling with self-doubt during that period.“I kept overthinking my decision because what if there’s even a one percent chance that I took a wrong decision?”

‘Barclays was AMAZING’

In the caption of her post, she clarified that her decision was not linked to dissatisfaction with the company.“And not because Barclays wasn’t good; it was AMAZING. But because I wasn’t feeling aligned,” she wrote.She said the months after quitting involved anxiety, rebuilding, and uncertainty, but also helped her better understand herself.“That time of my life stretched me in ways I never expected – anxiety, risks, rebuilding, unlearning. But somewhere in between, I found alignment.”Looking back, she said she does not regret taking the risk early in life.“I am so glad I left because at twenty-one I’d rather experiment early than regret it for the rest of my life.”

Social media users relate

As the video gained traction online, several users said they related to the pressure of staying in careers that appear successful but may not feel personally fulfilling.One user commented, “Keep growing, buddy. More power to you. I am 25 and still figuring out how to quit my current job and do full-time content creation.”Her story has become part of a wider conversation online around career choices, mental well-being, and what success means for younger professionals.Disclaimer: This report is based on statements shared in a publicly available social media post/video. The Times of India has not independently verified the claims, experiences, or details mentioned by the individual.Thumb image: Instagram