An Indian woman living in the US has opened up about the emotional experience of returning to India after spending a year abroad, sharing how the journey changed her understanding of home, belonging and personal growth.
Taking to Instagram, Shivani Sukale shared a video in which she reflected on her first visit back to India after moving to the US. In the clip, she spoke about the excitement of seeing her family again, but also admitted that the year away had quietly created a new sense of attachment to the country she had moved to.
‘Every little thing felt precious’
In the video, Shivani said, “After one year in the US, I finally went back home last December and I thought I was ready. One whole year and all I could think about on that flight was my Ajji, my family, my friends, my bedroom, even that tiny garden on my balcony. Every little thing I grew up taking for granted and suddenly it felt like the most precious thing in the world.”
{{/usCountry}}In the video, Shivani said, “After one year in the US, I finally went back home last December and I thought I was ready. One whole year and all I could think about on that flight was my Ajji, my family, my friends, my bedroom, even that tiny garden on my balcony. Every little thing I grew up taking for granted and suddenly it felt like the most precious thing in the world.”
{{/usCountry}}She added that life abroad had brought several changes in a short span of time. “But here’s what nobody tells you: one year abroad hits different. I switched homes twice, lived in two different states, traveled, worked, grew up a little, made friends I didn’t expect to make. And while I was excited to go back, there was this tiny weird guilt, like I was leaving something behind too.”
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Finding comfort in a new country
Shivani further shared how she struggled to identify one place as home. “Was I though? I still couldn’t call one place home here. And then I landed, saw my family, met everyone, and I realized I wasn’t choosing between two homes. Somewhere between the chaos of moving states and missing my home, the new country had quietly, without asking my permission, become a second home. Different kind of comfortable, but comfortable. Definitely didn't see that one coming. Now let me enjoy this cake.”
The clip was shared with the caption, “Crazy but exciting journey so far!”
Watch the clip here:
Internet reacts
The video received a few reactions from social media users, many of whom related to the emotions of living away from home. One user wrote, “This is so beautifully put.” Another said, “Home really becomes a feeling after you move abroad.” A third commented, “The guilt of leaving one home for another is so real.”
Another user shared, “This made me emotional because I felt the same after my first year away.” Someone else wrote, “Moving abroad changes you in ways you do not expect.” Another added, “The part about not choosing between two homes is so relatable.”
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HT.com has reached out to the user for her comments, and the copy will be updated once her response is received.
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)