At a time when the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement is gaining momentum among young professionals, Prabhkiran Singh, founder of the popular apparel brand Bewakoof, has shared a thought-provoking perspective that challenges the idea of work as merely a burden to escape from.

In a recent social media post, Singh reflected on the growing trend of hustling hard, saving fast, and exiting early, a philosophy embraced by many chasing financial freedom in their 30s or even 20s. The underlying sentiment in such pursuits, he noted, is that work is viewed as a means to an end: something to endure today for the promise of a carefree tomorrow.

“The dream of retiring early has long been romanticized in the West,” Singh observed. “But in the East, the lens has traditionally been different.”

Drawing inspiration from The Prophet by Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran, Singh highlighted a more profound outlook on work. Quoting Gibran’s words — “Work is love made visible” — he argued that work, when done with love and purpose, becomes an offering rather than a burden.

Gibran’s stark advice also featured in Singh’s reflection: “And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms…”

“This may sound harsh,” Singh admitted, “but it is deeply honest. Because work without love shows — in your product, your process, your presence.”

Singh’s message comes at a time when debates around work-life balance, burnout, and the meaning of success dominate professional conversations. He cautioned against seeing work merely as a stepping stone to freedom, suggesting instead that it is the path itself, a discipline and devotion that shapes who we are.

“Work isn’t something you run away from,” Singh concluded. “It’s something you offer yourself to, not the path to freedom, but the path itself.”

The post has resonated widely online, prompting professionals and entrepreneurs alike to reconsider their relationship with work, not just as a financial necessity, but as an expression of love, craft, and contribution.

For a generation torn between the desire to escape work and the need to find meaning within it, Singh’s words offer a timely reminder: work is not just what we do to live, but perhaps what gives our lives shape and significance.

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