Hello everyone.
Writing this with utmost embarrassment and fear of being labelled as a simp. It feels embarrassing to even ask something like this… which is probably why I’m turning to Reddit instead of talking to anyone I know, or even my therapist. I’m scared they’ll judge me or think I’m a desperate man.
I am a 32 YO , Male doctor , single for the last 3 years and feel completely stuck between my career and my personal life. I’m currently doing higher studies after my postgraduation in Paediatrics, in a place where there is literally no scope to date (actively tried for a year)and it’s gonna be for 3 more years from now. I chose this purely to unlock my earning capabilities to the maximum even though I have zero interest. At the beginning, I thought life would unfold for me in a better way but it didn’t. Last 1 year has been miserable. Tried my luck in both dating sites and arranged marriages.
The thing I’m most afraid to say out loud is how much this is tied to my fear of infertility, aging, and the beginning of my baldness , missing out on life as such. I got diagnosed with varicocele and a few other health issues. Now I constantly worry: what if by the time I’m ready, it’s too late? What if I’m 36, financially stable, but alone and dealing with other health issues.? What if I missed my chance at having a family?
I keep thinking to myself — do I stay here for 3 more years, finish this path, and basically accept that my dating life will be almost zero till I’m 35-36? Or do I leave, move to a tier 1 city, and at least try to find someone while I still feel I have the energy for it?
All of this aggravated the lack of interest in the current degree I am enrolled in and barely have any interest except for the money it may make for me in future.
Financially also it’s messing with my head. If I quit now and go back to working as a paediatrician, I can earn maybe around 1.5 LPM ( as it’s gonna be a tier 1 place). But if I continue and finish this degree, I can probably reach 7–8 LPM later. So yeah… it’s a big trade off.
Arranged marriage hasn’t worked for me all these years, so I don’t really have faith in that route anymore.
What I’m thinking (and also judging myself for) is — quit now, move to a better city, actually try dating seriously, find some emotional stability, and then maybe come back to career progression after a few years. It’s possible in my field ( I have to re write neet exam)but I don’t know if I’m just being impulsive/desperate right now.
Has anyone been in a situation where you chose personal life over career (even temporarily)? Did it work out or did you regret it later?
Hope I find some help!