Gurgaon Man's Desperate Plea for Work-Life Balance Goes Viral
A young professional from Gurgaon has taken social media by storm with an emotional video that lays bare the severe mental toll of an unbalanced corporate life. The man, who identifies as Director Dayal on Instagram, shared a raw and unfiltered look inside his dishevelled apartment, using it as a powerful visual metaphor for his deteriorating mental state caused by excessive work hours.
The Scene of Exhaustion: A Home in Disarray
The now-viral video, posted on October 30, serves as a distressing tour of his personal space, which he has been unable to maintain. The footage shows clothes scattered across the room, a floor stained and unmopped, and a kitchen sink piled high with utensils and cookware that have been sitting there for days. He points out specific details, stating, "These clothes have been lying here for a week. These coriander leaves have dried up, and the utensils in the basin have been there for four days."
He highlights the irony of his situation, mentioning a lamp he bought from Banjara Market with the hope of creating a cozy atmosphere to relax in after work. "But that's far from reality," he laments, underscoring the gap between his aspirations and his grueling daily routine.
A Direct Appeal: The Three People Who Need to Understand
In the most poignant part of his monologue, the man makes a heartfelt appeal to three key people in his life. "Three people need to understand my condition," he says, outlining his message.
First, he addresses his boss, clarifying that his exhaustion is not about the money but his mental well-being: "I don't want your job or your money. I'm mentally exhausted."
Second, he asks for understanding from his family, explaining that if he misses their calls, it is because he is "caught up with something important."
Finally, in a deeply personal note, he speaks to "the girl I'm doing this all for," stating that the chaotic state of his flat is "the most I could do" under the circumstances. He starkly compares his 12-hour shifts to being worse off than a labourer, a statement that has struck a chord with many viewers.
Massive Online Resonance and a Collective Cry for Change
The video has amassed a staggering over seven million views, triggering an outpouring of empathy and shared experiences from professionals across India. The comment section turned into a support group, with users sharing their own stories of burnout.
One user commented, "Its so so so important. I remember the trauma I faced in my first company. Left home at 7.30 am and came back at 12 am. Lost 8 kgs in 6 months," highlighting the physical toll of such work cultures.
Another user thanked him for "exposing the other side of hustling culture," acknowledging that his video gives a voice to a widespread but often unspoken struggle. The incident adds a powerful, ground-level perspective to a debate often dominated by top executives like Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
