There’s this line I heard in a YouTube video years ago that stuck with me:
Ghar choda tha sapne poore karne, kaun jaanta tha ghar wapas jaana hi sapna ban jayega.
(I left home to chase dreams, who knew coming back home would become the dream.)
I spent six years in the US, and it was a wild ride. New experiences, growth, all of it. But deep down, I kept missing home. Moving back to India wasn’t a snap decision. It came from a lot of thinking about what really matters to me and where I feel like I belong. Here’s why I came back:
Living in the US, I always felt a bit out of place. The festivals, the food, even the weather. It wasn’t my world. I could join in, but it was like watching someone else’s life through a window. I wanted to be where I could just be myself without trying so hard to fit in.
Then there was a scare at work. A layoff. It hit me hard. My whole life in the US depended on my job. One bad day at the office, and I could lose everything I’d built. That kind of uncertainty was tough to live with. I didn’t want my future to feel so shaky.
I’ve always wanted to start something of my own, be my own boss. But in the US, visa rules made it nearly impossible. Every step toward that dream felt blocked, like the system was saying, “Not for you.” In India, I feel like I have a real shot at building something big.
Dating in the US was another struggle. As an Indian guy, it was tough. There just weren’t enough Indian women in the dating pool, and finding someone who got my culture and values felt like a long shot. I want a real connection, maybe a family someday, and that felt harder there.
Life in the US was always changing. New apartments, new cities, friends coming and going. I got tired of starting over. I wanted roots, a place where I could build lasting friendships and feel settled. India, with its familiar chaos, feels like that place.
Festivals are a big deal for me. In India, Diwali, Holi, or even a random family gathering means lights, laughter, and mom’s cooking. In the US, I had to hunt for those moments, and they never felt the same. I missed the warmth of celebrating with people who share my traditions.
Being an only child, I also felt the pull to be closer to my parents. They’re getting older, and I want to be there for them. Not just on video calls or short visits. I want to share the small, everyday moments that matter.
The US taught me a lot, and I’m grateful for it. But India is home. Coming back wasn’t just about moving. It was about returning to where my heart feels full, where I can be myself and chase my dreams on my own terms.