Returning to India after years abroad can come with expectations of reconnecting with family, old friends and familiar surroundings. But for one NRI who recently returned from the US, the transition has been more difficult than expected.
Six months after moving back to India, the Reddit user said they have struggled to feel that they truly belong again. The person shared their experience online, describing loneliness and a sense of disconnection from people they once considered close.
‘I feel incredibly lonely’
The Reddit post was shared with the caption “6 months back in India and I feel like I don’t belong here anymore.”
The person said they returned to India primarily because their parents were worried about them and they wanted to be closer to home. Initially, returning seemed like the right decision, but settling back into life in India proved more challenging than anticipated.
The user said many of their old friends had moved on with their own lives and were often busy. Although they had repeatedly tried to reconnect and make plans, they felt the effort was not being reciprocated to the same extent.
They acknowledged that people naturally become busy and that relationships can change over time, but said the experience had left them feeling as though they were the only person trying to maintain those friendships.
Missing life in the US
The Reddit user also said they frequently think about their life in the United States.
According to the post, they had developed a routine there, enjoyed greater independence and had people around them. They also felt they were progressing in life.
After returning to India, the person said they sometimes wondered whether leaving the US had been a mistake. At the same time, they said they did not blame their parents, noting that their concerns had been genuine and that they had wanted their child closer to home.
Family relationships feel different
The person also described changes in family dynamics. They had expected returning home to bring them closer to their family but said their relationship with their brother also felt different from before.
The experience, therefore, has involved more than simply adjusting to a different lifestyle. The Reddit user said the emotional transition itself had been much harder than expected.
Seeking advice from other returnees
The user asked others who had moved back to India after living abroad whether they had experienced similar feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
They also asked how others rebuilt their social lives after returning and how they decided whether to remain in India or move abroad again.
The post received varied responses. Some users advised the person to give themselves more time and explore different parts of India while building new connections. Others suggested joining meet-ups and hobby groups to develop a new social circle.
One response pointed out that six months can be a relatively short period for judging such a major life transition and encouraged the user to take the adjustment slowly.
