A former product head who built a career in London is drawing attention online after sharing a deeply personal account of leaving a high-paying corporate life behind to clean apartments in Melbourne, and discovering a new sense of identity in the process.
In a candid social media post, the Indian woman described the emotional fallout of losing a career built over 15 years. According to a report by HT.com, Shweta Desai's journey began in 2008 when she relocated from Mumbai to London to pursue higher education. By 2023, Shweta had ascended to the role of Head of Product with annual earnings nearing £100,000, equivalent to approximately Rs 1 crore.
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However, her life took an unexpected turn when she stepped away from the corporate world and relocated to Melbourne, where she began working as an Airbnb cleaner.
Sharing her journey on social media, Shweta spoke candidly about the emotional impact of losing the identity attached to a high-paying job and prestigious title.
“The title. The salary. The wardrobe. The answer to ‘what do you do?' at every dinner party. Gone,” she wrote.
She admitted that leaving corporate life initially made her feel as though she had “lost” herself completely. But over time, the experience pushed her to understand who she was beyond job titles and professional success.
“When the title goes, you find out who you actually are underneath it,” she added.
Shweta has now launched a personal reflection project titled My Life Audit, a weekly series where she plans to document her rebuilding journey publicly. The first chapter focuses on 'Career & Identity.'
According to her, the series aims to encourage people dealing with burnout, layoffs, career transitions, or major personal changes.
“Rebuilds don't happen in private,” her post read.
Her story has resonated with many online users, especially professionals questioning work-life balance and the pressure of defining self-worth through careers.
She ended her post with a message for those struggling with change, “If you've lost a career, a title, a version of yourself, this series is for you.”
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