From High-Rises to Hillsides: The Bold Shift of an Indian Family
In a heartening narrative that has recently captured social media attention, a young Indian couple decided to walk away from lucrative careers in Singapore’s bustling corporate sphere to build a simpler, more meaningful life back home in India. The story, shared through an Instagram video by Sharmilaa, a former design and project engineer with a Master’s degree, reveals a conscious choice to trade high salaries and hectic schedules for peace, family time, and connection with nature.
The couple moved back to India three years ago, accompanied by their young daughter, settling on a hill-view farm where children play freely in the open, hens roam the yard, and the rhythm of life slows down significantly. Their story resonates deeply with many urban professionals who grapple with the pressure-cooker pace of city life and are beginning to seek alternatives that prioritize well-being over wealth.
Why They Left Singapore’s Corporate Life
Singapore represents one of Asia’s most dynamic economic hubs, offering high-paying jobs but demanding extensive work hours and a fast-paced lifestyle. Despite the financial comfort, Sharmilaa and her husband found themselves yearning for a life beyond the corporate grind. As Sharmilaa recalled, the couple “thought [they] would earn ₹20,000 a month” taking on a flexible online role as a virtual assistant—an initially modest expectation that symbolized a radical shift in priorities.
The decision was less about a perfectly mapped-out plan and more about choosing freedom and family over relentless hustle. Their move was deliberately quiet, made without fanfare but with immense conviction to design a life that allowed them to wake every day free from job stress and closer to nature.
Life After the Leap: Building a New Reality
Settling into rural India, the couple embraced remote work, with Sharmilaa pioneering a virtual assistant business that grew from a simple side gig to a flourishing venture providing financial independence. This transition illustrates how modern digital opportunities can empower individuals to untether themselves from traditional office jobs without sacrificing income.
Their daily life contrasts sharply with their past: what used to be board meetings and tight deadlines is now replaced with fresh air, natural surroundings, and more time to nurture their daughter’s upbringing in an environment conducive to creativity and health.
This move sparked a wave of inspiration, especially among Millennials and Gen Z professionals who feel confined by conventional career expectations.
Broader Implications: Redefining Success and Priorities
This couple’s story taps into a growing cultural shift: success is increasingly being redefined beyond salary figures and job titles to encompass personal happiness, balance, and sustainable living. Their journey opens up conversations on mental health, urban burnout, and what “having it all” truly means.
– For families: It highlights the value of raising children in nature-centric environments. – For workers: It offers a blueprint for overcoming the “rat race” with flexible, remote career options. – For society: It challenges norms about migration, opportunity, and the true cost of urbanization.
This story also raises critical questions: How can Indian cities and workplaces evolve to offer better quality of life? What support systems are needed for people who want to transition to quieter lives without economic sacrifice?
Practical Insights: Considering a Similar Leap?
For those inspired by this narrative, here are a few actionable tips:
1. Start small with remote work: Platforms offering freelance or virtual assistant roles can provide a foothold. 2. Plan financially but remain flexible: As the couple discovered, you don’t necessarily need a “perfect plan” to get started. 3. Prioritize mental health and family time: Reflect deeply on what work-life balance means to you. 4. Engage local communities: Relocating to rural areas means building new social and support networks. 5. Explore government schemes: Some Indian states offer incentives for digital entrepreneurs and start-ups in rural zones.
What This Means for India’s Future
This story exemplifies the potential for India’s growing digital infrastructure to enable reverse migration—professionals returning home not just for emotional reasons but with viable economic models. It spotlights how technology can democratize work opportunities and decentralize growth beyond metropolitan areas.
As more individuals reassess ambitions and lifestyles in the post-pandemic context, this couple’s choice may prove emblematic of a larger trend that could impact urban planning, employment patterns, and rural revitalization in India.
> “We chose freedom over the hustle. Not a perfect plan… just a quiet decision to prioritize life over work.”—Sharmilaa
Indian families reconsidering their futures might find this story both comforting and motivational, reminding everyone that sometimes, success isn’t about how much you earn but how deeply you live.
For those interested, watch the original Instagram video by Sharmilaa here: Instagram Video
Keywords: Indian couple quits Singapore job, return to India, peaceful farm life, remote work India, work-life balance, digital nomads India, rural lifestyle shift, family-centric living, career change stories
