When people see a five figure salary, many assume life must be comfortable.
But for one 34 year old Malaysian, earning around RM11,000 before tax is far from the dream lifestyle others imagine.
In a heartfelt post, he shared that after tax, his take home pay is roughly RM9,200.
He has no car loan and no house loan. He is also single.
On the surface, it sounds like a stable and enviable life. But he says the reality behind the numbers is something few people talk about.
High pay comes with high pressure
He explained that he climbed his way up to a managerial position in his previous field and recently switched to a new industry.
Even starting from a lower position, his new company offered him a higher salary than before and quickly handed him team leadership responsibilities within three months.
While he believes this reflects his capability, it also came with a cost. Endless responsibilities. Constant pressure. And almost no time to breathe.
He shared that even after work hours, his mind is still occupied with tasks and team issues.
There are days he goes from morning to night without any real rest. He worries about staff performance, cooperation, and whether targets are met.
Over time, the mental exhaustion quietly eats into his personal life.
The unseen cost of earning over RM10k
He said the biggest sacrifice is not money, but peace of mind.
The stress follows him everywhere. His thoughts never truly switch off. He rarely gets to enjoy life outside of work because his mind is always preparing for the next problem.
In simple words, he said earning a high salary means carrying the weight of that salary.
Sometimes he wishes for a simpler life
In a rare moment of honesty, he admitted that sometimes he wonders if a simpler life would feel better.
A normal staff role. Less responsibility. Less pressure.
He clarified that he is not complaining. He just wants people to understand that when admiring high income earners, it is worth asking if they can accept the sacrifices that come with it.
Because behind every big paycheck, there might be a tired mind that never truly rests.
