Kerala auto driver's day-in-the-life vlog has viewers romanticising simple lives

Breakfast with family, a quick stop to drop his child at a madrasa, hours spent ferrying passengers across town, an afternoon meal at home and children waiting for chocolates at the end of the day - a Kerala auto driver's vlog documenting an ordinary day has found an appreciative audience online.

Ashik Pangadan, an auto-rickshaw driver from Malappuram and a lifestyle vlogger with more than 27,000 Instagram followers, shared a video titled, "Day in my life as an auto driver."

The vlog began at 7:15 am with Pangadan preparing breakfast. He then sat down for a meal of appam and kadala curry before setting off for work.

After breakfast, he dropped his child off at a madrasa and reached the auto stand at 7:55 am. Just a few minutes later, he completed his first ride of the day, followed by a series of local trips.

The video tracked the rest of his workday through timestamps, offering viewers a glimpse into the rhythm of his daily routine. Between rides, Pangadan navigated busy streets, picked up passengers and went about his work like any other day.

At around 2 pm, an unexpected spell of rain interrupted the afternoon. Shortly afterwards, he headed home for lunch, where he enjoyed a meal of rice and fried fish with his family while watching a movie.

By 3:20 pm, he was back on the road. More rides followed through the evening, punctuated by a tea break and time set aside for prayer at 6:36 pm.

After a long day behind the wheel, Pangadan returned home at 9:04 pm. Waiting for him are his children, eager to receive the chocolates he has brought back for them.

The simplicity of the video resonated with many viewers, who said it offered a refreshing break from the highly-curated lifestyles often showcased on social media.

"Yes. Please romanticise simple lives. Instagram is full of unrealistic expectations and lifestyle faking," one user commented.

Another wrote, "How beautiful it is to see people truly enjoy and appreciate what they do for a living. This genuinely made me smile."

Several others said the video served as a reminder to be grateful for everyday comforts.

"It made me realise how many of us should appreciate the things we have. Looking at this, many of our worries seem smaller," the user wrote.

A woman, who identified herself as the daughter of an auto driver, said the ending was particularly relatable: "Being an auto driver's daughter, waiting for those chocolates is highly relatable. It brought a sense of calmness, and I really connected with the video.”

See the comments here:

Isn’t this such a wholesome video?