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‘I feel overwhelmed': Woman returns to India after 17 years
Her account highlighted the emotional and practical challenges of relocating, even as she cites family time and cultural connection as gains.
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Malvika Choudhary - Mon, 04, May 2026
- 17:24 EDT
- 36
Screengrab from the reel / Instagram/ @twinsbymyside
An Indian-origin woman’s account of returning to India after 17 years in the United States has drawn widespread attention online, with many users engaging with her description of the transition as both difficult and fulfilling.
Dhara, who shares content on Instagram under the handle “twinsbymyside,” posted a video detailing her family’s relocation and the adjustments that followed. The video has received over 776,000 views at the time of writing.
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In the video, Dhara said the move has been a mixed experience six months after returning. “Has this move been easy? Some days it feels like it is and other days it feels really, really hard,” she said.
She noted that she had left India at the age of 15 and grew up in the United States, making the return feel unfamiliar. “So even though this is supposed to be home, in so many ways it feels like I’m starting over,” she said, citing new routines, systems, and a different pace of life.
Dhara described moments of discomfort during the transition. “There are days I feel overwhelmed, a little out of place… I miss the comfort, the familiarity and the life we’ve built for so many years,” she said.
At the same time, she pointed to aspects of life in India that she values, including proximity to family and more time with her children. She said the move has allowed her to homeschool her children and introduce them to Indian culture while continuing to learn herself.
“For the first time in a long time, I feel like I have space to focus on myself too,” she said, adding that she is “building a new version” of herself.
The video prompted responses from users who said they related to the challenges of returning after years abroad and were seeking practical guidance on relocation.
One user commented, “I would like to understand more on what’s different in India versus US… how easy it is to adapt… what did you feel you should have done differently? In case you or your husband are doing jobs can you please share some insights of how it is to look for jobs?”
Another wrote, “We are planning the same thing! What did you use to move all your boxes? What company?”
Some responses expressed support for raising children in India. “I appreciate u took the right decision… living and raising kids in India is always a good decision… they get stronger, cultural values,” a user said.
Other commenters said Dhara’s experience reflected concerns and considerations they were weighing as they planned similar moves.
Dhara concluded her video by emphasizing that the transition remains ongoing. “Six months later, we are still adjusting, still learning and still growing into this life,” she said.
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