A Delhi-based man decided to leave the city’s hustle behind and relocate to Manali, where he now lives in the mountains while continuing his remote job. He has been documenting his new lifestyle on Instagram, sharing glimpses of his daily life. While his mountain life may look like a dream to many, he recently revealed the “expectation vs reality” of living in the hills.
The video, titled “My Life in Manali: Expectations vs Reality,” was shared on Instagram by Ajay Sharma. Through a series of clips showcasing Manali’s scenic landscapes, he contrasted the romanticised idea of mountain living with the practical challenges that come with it.
The video lists several “expectation vs reality” moments:
Expectation: Dreamy remote work | Reality: Network drops in the middle of work calls.
Expectation: Sunny skies | Reality: Sudden rain showers.
Expectation: Trying local dishes and café hopping | Reality: Grocery shopping, running errands and cooking alone.
Expectation: Smooth road trips with breathtaking mountain views | Reality: Bumpy and poorly maintained roads.
Expectation: Exploring Mall Road and Old Manali | Reality: Endless staircases and steep uphill climbs.
Expectation: Bonfires and making friends with strangers | Reality: Spending hours eating and sitting alone.
He captioned the video, “Everything has its pros and cons, still this is the best.”
The video has since gone viral on social media, with many users appreciating his honest take on mountain life. Although he highlighted the difficulties of living in Manali, most viewers said they would still happily choose the peaceful surroundings and fresh air over city life.
One user wrote, “Yes, it’s indeed a bit difficult to work from the mountains, but nature heals everything.” Another commented, “Good one, but still worth it, right?”
A third user wrote, “Still, you get to enjoy such beautiful views.” Another added, “But the positives are still better than Delhi’s heat.”
One comment read, “Much better than pothole-filled roads, annual floods, air pollution and overpopulation.” Another user summed up the sentiment by writing, “Bhai fir bhi sahi ho… inspiring to be honest. Bas hosla chahiye.”