A former Amazon employee who worked nonstop for 17 years shared an emotional anonymous post on Blind after being laid off, revealing how his dedication to work cost him precious moments with his family. He admitted that he never took breaks, believing constant hustle was necessary for his family’s future, only to realise he had missed out on simple joys like family dinners and time with his kids. The post quickly went viral, sparking discussions on burnout, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of hustle culture.
17 years of nonstop work. No breaks. No slow days. All for the family.
Then, one email. Laid off.
He cried, cooked breakfast with his wife, took his kids to school for the first time, and saw their smiles.
Maybe this is what living means, not the job, but the moments we forget… pic.twitter.com/4F1Pek00j5
— Venkatesh Alla (@venkat_fin9) November 3, 2025
A longtime Amazon employee shared that when he received his layoff email, he “just broke down and cried”. After an hour of sitting with the shock, he did something he had never done in years, helped his wife make breakfast and personally took his kids to school. Watching them smile made him question the life he had been living, leading him to reflect, “Maybe this is what living is?”.
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He later informed his wife over coffee, and instead of panic, she reassured him they would face it together as a family. Her calm support made him “break into tears again”. His post quickly went viral, tapping into widespread frustration with “hustle culture” and the burnout tied to long-term corporate loyalty, especially in tech where layoffs have become increasingly common.
Responses poured in, with one user advising, “Love your work but not your company. Learn a new skill. Learn selling. And breathe deeply everyday.” Another wrote, “Heartbreaking yet eye-opening… It’s a reminder that jobs are temporary, but those smiles are priceless.” Many agreed that the post was both painful and relatable, exposing how easily work can replace life itself. One even wrote, “Don’t worry, many people got better salaried job. When they got laid off previously. U would too.”
The emotional story arrives amid a massive layoff wave across the tech industry in 2025, continuing a trend that began in late 2022. Companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft have all reduced headcount, some more than once, due to overhiring, slowing growth, economic pressure, and increased investment in automation and AI. Roles across HR, customer support, recruiting, and even engineering have been hit, signaling a shift toward leaner, efficiency-driven teams.
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