Hi @HopefulPack4 - I hear you. And I feel that gut-punch you’re carrying. That said, let’s set the record straight on a few things. You didn’t clown yourself. You survived a toxic gig, backed yourself and moved. That takes guts. A lot of folks never even get that far.
And then, 18 LPA isn't trash. Is it what you're worth? Certainly not. But it’s a stepping stone, not your sentence. It bought you time, space, and some peace (hopefully) - that's great currency, too.
Now, the part that stings: watching folks around you earn more with less grind. Yup, it sucks. But here's the truth, you're running a long game. Don't anchor your value to those who got lucky or talked slick in one interview. Anchor it to your trajectory. Because if your tech stack’s solid and your exposure’s real, your moment’s coming. And when it does, it’s gonna make sense real fast. Until then? Stack your skills, focus on sharpening them, assess the rejections, practice better, keep shipping and don’t let comparison drain your drive. Or even be the thief of your joy. The pain you feel, that's more so just your old life wrapping off. You’re not behind. You’re just loading up for something bigger.
Please breathe. More often. More cleaner daily. The rest follows. That's how you win.