Indian woman shares reverse culture shock after returning from US: 'I sometimes live in anxiety'

The woman also admitted that adjusting has been emotionally taxing. “I sometimes live in anxiety,” she said.

An Indian woman has sparked a discussion online after opening up about the challenges she has faced since moving back to India from the US, saying she still struggles to settle in - 3 months after her return.

The woman expressed frustration over what she described as the normalisation of civic issues. (Unsplash/Representative image)

Taking to Instagram, the woman, who goes by the handle @alottleofeverything, shared a post titled, "It's been 3 months since I moved to India. Here's what hit me the most."

In the post, she said returning home was far more difficult than she had expected. "The reality check: You can't move back to who you were," she wrote in one slide, adding, "We tell ourselves it's easy - it's home, right? But you've outgrown the version of you that only knew India. That gap is real."

She also expressed frustration over what she described as the normalisation of civic issues. "The moment you ask why, you're told to just get used to it. What's wrong with wanting more?" she wrote, adding, "The thing that exhausts me 'This is just how India is.'"

In the caption, she elaborated on her feelings. "This is how I feel anytime, anyone asks me 'how am I settling in'. The fact is 99% of the time, I'm not settling in. I'm trying my best to contribute in ways I could and not just crib about everything. But, it does get to you eventually."

"It is a tough fight if 50% of the population doesn't care about the place they live in. I'll keep doing whatever I could to make it a better place, I just wish everyone thinks the same way too," she added.

HT.com has reached out to the woman. The article will be updated once a response is received.

How did social media react?

The post resonated with many users who had experienced reverse culture shock after returning to India.

One user wrote, "The 'Your definition of home might have already changed and it's ok to admit it' really hit the spot!! Always keeping it real."

"Going through the same literally, everyday!" commented another.

"I've been in India for six months and I feel the same way," shared a third user.

"Completely agree with you. These are the things I m scared of when thinking to move back," wrote another.

Others, however, urged her to acknowledge the positives of returning home as well.

One user wrote, "There are also a lot of good things that you must have felt after moving back. Probably talk about both the things. I moved back to India after living in Germany for 10 years. While all things you mentioned in the post are true, there are still so many good things around that deserve to be mentioned, so people who are trying to evaluate their move back to India have a fair perspective."

"Kudos to you moving back home. I think a mind shift is needed when we see gandgi (filth) everywhere. You have been fortunate to live outside of India (assuming), so why not bring some outside knowledge to get involved in the cleaning of your surroundings and educate and spread the word. You might not be able to change the entire city, but you can make your daily environment and local trips worthwhile. As far as the spitting, this is a common habit that does take place in the west as well," commented another.