Woman Quits ₹42 Lakh Singapore Consulting Job, Moves Back to India to Pursue Poetry Full-Time

Choosing passion over predictability is never simple, especially when it means walking away from a stable corporate career. Yet for 28-year-old Namrata Yadav, the decision to leave behind a well-paying consulting job in Singapore was driven by a deeper need for creative fulfilment and personal happiness.

Yadav, who previously worked with KPMG, spent years navigating academic and professional paths that, while impressive, did not quite resonate with her inner calling. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “After years of studying and working across different fields, I realized I wanted a life that felt enjoyable every day, not something I only escaped from on weekends.”

Her career began with a law degree in India, followed by a master’s in international relations at the National University of Singapore between 2019 and 2021. After completing her postgraduate studies, she briefly worked as a research analyst before stepping into the corporate world in 2022 with KPMG.

The role offered financial stability, with an annual income of around 57,000 Singapore dollars (approximately ₹42 lakh). Despite Singapore’s high cost of living—where her monthly expenses reached nearly SG$3,200—she managed her finances comfortably.

However, the nature of the work left her feeling disconnected. “I realized that my thinking was more creative than analytical, and the corporate setup didn’t align with that,” she explained. Long working hours further limited her ability to pursue writing seriously.

Writing had always been close to her heart. During her time in Singapore, she began expressing herself more consistently, mostly in Hindi. Her work revolved around everyday themes—relationships, family, friendships, and personal reflections.

What began as a coping mechanism for the stress of living in a new country gradually evolved into something more meaningful. Still, the demands of her job made it difficult to dedicate time and energy to her creative pursuits. Everything changed in December 2024, when Yadav was selected to perform at a literature festival in Lucknow. Watching fellow performers on stage sparked a realization. “I didn’t want to sit in the audience wishing I could do what they do—I wanted to be on that stage myself,” she said.

That moment pushed her to make a bold decision. After returning to Singapore, she chose to resign and pursue writing full-time. By September 2025, she had relocated to Mumbai, initially considering part-time work to support herself. However, after attending a few job interviews, she recognized that returning to a traditional desk job would pull her away from her creative goals.

Now based in Andheri West, Mumbai—a hub for artists and performers—Yadav lives in a shared apartment, paying around ₹34,000 in rent. Compared to her expenses in Singapore, her cost of living has significantly reduced.

Even so, the absence of a steady income has brought its own challenges. “Giving up a regular paycheck and going months without earning has really tested my resilience,” she admitted. For now, she is relying on her savings from her corporate job to sustain herself.

Determined to give her passion a fair chance, Yadav set a goal in January to perform her first solo spoken-word show on March 28. She dedicated three months entirely to writing and preparation. Her daily routine now revolves around long writing sessions that begin after her morning coffee and often stretch into the afternoon. Alongside this, she documents her creative journey on social media to connect with a wider audience.

Transitioning from corporate life has also required a shift in mindset. “I’ve had to unlearn the idea that every day must produce a measurable result,” she said. “Creativity doesn’t work like that—some days feel productive, while others don’t.”

Coming from a rural background, her parents initially struggled to understand her decision. Like many families, they valued stability and were unsure about a career in the arts. Over time, however, their perspective evolved.

“They trust my decisions now and believe in my effort,” she shared, adding that their support has become a source of encouragement. While Yadav remains aware that she may need to return to a job in the future to sustain herself financially, her current focus is clear. She wants to explore her potential as a storyteller and performer.

Stepping away from certainty to follow creativity requires both courage and conviction. For Namrata Yadav, this phase is less about immediate success and more about discovering what she is truly capable of. “I want to find out if I can become a storyteller people remember,” she said.