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Woman opens up about emotional cost of moving cities for work, internet says ‘Nothing can beat that pain’

A woman’s honest LinkedIn post about moving away from family for work sparked an emotional discussion online.

Updated on: May 29, 2026, 12:17:41 IST
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Moving to a new city for work often feels exciting at first. There is the promise of better opportunities, independence and the thrill of building a life on your own terms. But once the excitement settles, many people begin to experience the quieter and more emotional side of relocation.

The post resonated with professionals living away from home for work. (Representational Image)
The post resonated with professionals living away from home for work. (Representational Image)

A recent LinkedIn post captured this exact feeling, resonating with many professionals online who admitted they had experienced the same emotions after moving away from home for work.

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LinkedIn post strikes a chord online

The post was shared by LinkedIn user Esha Malhotra. Sharing it, she wrote, “You know something nobody talks about when you’re busy living the IT life in an IT city? The pain of leaving your family behind. While the perks are amazing, who doesn’t like going back home and just getting a hug from your mom, having to sit with your dad and share what happened throughout the day or help pick outfits with your sister. There’s always the big glorious picture everyone sees around you. The freedom. The lifestyle you choose for yourself. No fights. Doing things the way you like. But the quality time you could’ve also spent with your family, that’s always a loss :(”

The post quickly resonated with users who related to the emotional reality of living away from home. Many people shared how professional growth often comes with personal sacrifices that are rarely spoken about openly online.

One person wrote, "Nothing can beat that pain of leaving the family and friends behind."

Another commented, "Although the pain of leaving the family remains in the heart, we forget the pain with the company of good friends foe some time."

"Hard relate," read a third comment.

A third user wrote, "Freedom feels exciting until you realise some of the people you love most aren’t part of your everyday life anymore."

A fourth user commented, "Wow! Your reflection on belonging is TRULY inspiring!"

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Internet users open up about homesickness

Several others continued the conversation by sharing their own experiences of moving cities for work and missing home.

A fifth user added, "Growing professionally while emotionally missing home is such a strange phase of life honestly."

"The salary grows, the experience grows… but sometimes the distance grows too," read a sixth comment.

For many users, it served as a reminder that while career growth brings independence and opportunities, it can also come with emotional challenges that are often left unspoken.

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.

  • Vaishali Kapila
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Vaishali Kapila

    Vaishali Kapila is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, where she covers internet culture, viral social media moments, human interest stories and workplace trends. She believes the best stories often come from ordinary experiences and everyday conversations. Through her stories, she aims to help readers understand not just what is trending, but why it matters. Born and brought up in Chandigarh and now based in Delhi, Vaishali has over five years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining Hindustan Times, she worked as a Sub Editor at NDTV, where she specialised in food and travel writing. Over the years, she has written and edited stories on recipes, nutrition, restaurants, destinations and travel trends, while building expertise in digital storytelling, search-driven journalism and audience-focused content. Today, her work spans a wide range of topics, including consumer issues, lifestyle, workplace trends and stories that reflect everyday life. She enjoys finding fresh angles, speaking with people and adding the context that helps readers make sense of a story. Vaishali holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism with a specialisation in New Media from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. When she is not working, Vaishali enjoys exploring new places, trying local food and documenting her experiences through a food Instagram page she runs with her husband. She also enjoys watching documentaries, learning about space and science, and exploring stories about different cultures and people.Read More

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