A 31-year-old man, who returned to India after living in Canada for six years, has shared how tough it’s been to settle back into life at home. In a Reddit post, the anonymous user said that although he returned to be closer to his family, the transition hasn’t been smooth.
“While I really value being close to my family again and, of course, enjoying the food, almost everything else feels… off,” he wrote. He explained that most of his close friends were still living abroad, which has left him feeling socially isolated.
On top of that, he’s having a tough time finding meaningful work that matches his skills and experience.
“I don’t enjoy the weather or lifestyle, it’s hard to stay active or even motivated some days. The lack of civic sense, general chaos, and everyday inconveniences are exhausting. I feel like I’m stuck between two worlds: one that feels familiar but frustrating, and another (Canada) that was lonelier at times but offered structure, opportunity, and independence,” he also added.
Looking for support and guidance, he reached out to others who also returned to India after living abroad. He asked for suggestions on how he could make daily life better and improve his overall quality of life in India.
Check his post here:
Moved back to India after 6 years in Canada – struggling to adjust. How do I improve quality of life here?
byu/Horizonaze innri
The post shared on June 22 has received over 90 upvotes so far and sparked a meaningful conversation. Many fellow NRIs and returnees shared their struggles and offered advice based on personal experience.
A person who moved back to India after spending 15 years in the US suggested being patient: “It took me about 1.5 years to adjust. Give it time.”
Another user recommended taking short international breaks to cope better with the transition: “If you can afford it, find a remote job and travel to nearby countries like Singapore or UAE for a few months at a time to recharge,” he said.
An individual reminded him to stay grounded and not lose sight of his original purpose for returning: “Be kind to your family because some days you’ll feel resentful that you moved back for them. Remind yourself of why you did it,” the user wrote.
The responses showed that moving back can be tough, but it gets easier with time and support.