A 33-year-old Malaysian sparked online discussion after sharing how his seemingly stable life is overshadowed by constant anxiety and inner turmoil.
Despite owning a car, fully paying off his house, and having close to RM1 million in savings, he revealed in a post on Facebook that he feels far from happy.
Instead, he described his daily life as a cycle of stress, confusion, and emotional exhaustion that has persisted for years.
Overworked all the time
Working in a high-pressure industry, the man said his mental state swings between two extremes depending on his workload.
When he has projects, he is pushed to his limits, often working around the clock until he feels completely burnt out. During these periods, he admits he frequently has the urge to quit altogether just to escape the pressure.
However, the absence of work brings a different kind of distress.
Without projects, he finds himself spiralling into intense anxiety, worrying about his future, financial stability, and whether he is falling behind in life.
Having work makes me want to run away. But not having work makes me even more miserable.”
Saving money, but unable to enjoy it
The man also opened up about his complicated relationship with money.
Having grown up in a financially struggling household, he developed a habit of holding tightly onto his savings. While this allowed him to build a strong financial foundation, it also made it difficult for him to spend without guilt.
He said that not spending money leaves him feeling like life is empty. But when he does spend, he becomes overwhelmed with anxiety, constantly thinking about his savings decreasing.
Even travelling, something often recommended as a way to relax, did not help. Instead, he said he returned from trips feeling even more uneasy after seeing his bank balance drop, which made him feel insecure about his future.
Although he understands common advice such as “money is meant to be spent,” he admitted that he simply cannot bring himself to do so.
Struggles with relationships & loneliness
The man shared that his love life has been on pause for years, after a brief relationship in his younger days and a strong focus on his career. With his routine now mostly limited to work and home, he said he no longer knows how or where to meet new people, and has even begun doubting whether others would accept him.
At the same time, he admitted he had previously prioritised work over friendships, often turning down social invitations.
Now, many of his friends have moved on or started families, leaving him with few people to confide in and a growing sense of isolation.
Despite having no thoughts of self-harm, he said he is desperate to break free from the constant cycle of anxiety and emptiness. He questioned whether he has lost his direction in life, and reached out to others who have experienced similar struggles for advice.
