Special Edition – From the Co-Founder’s Mind

When I was 15, sitting on my first solo flight from Delhi to Anchorage, I thought:
“Wow. I can’t wait to leave my family and finally live by myself. Experience life. Taste freedom.”

No rules. No nagging. No one asking me if I’ve eaten or when I’ll get back home. Just freedom. Or so I thought.

What I didn’t prepare for was the loneliness that freedom quietly brings along.

---

The journey we call loneliness

If you’ve ever lived away from home, you know the thrill that comes with it. The anxiousness and the excitement to explore and discover what a new place has to offer. But hidden in that freedom is something no one really talks about: the ache of being far away from the people who just get you.

I used to think this loneliness was just homesickness, just temporary.

But then, years later, I was in Canada for my brother-in-law’s wedding. His best friend couldn’t attend, so they video-called. The usual jokes were made — “you’re trapped for life now, bro!” — we all laughed. After the call ended, I saw something shift on my brother-in-law’s face, a sadness that seemed like if anyone started playing “Tera yaar hoon mai” he would definitely start crying.

Here was this man, on one of the happiest days of his life, surrounded by the people he loved, but still feeling the ache of missing some of his most important people.

And just like that, I was 15 again, 6ish months after that first flight. It was Diwali, and on a call with my mum I could hear the happy noise of the house in the background. I was surrounded by new friends, but still missing the old ones. Still weirdly lonely.

---

When your new life doesn’t include the old faces

Because yes, you can be lonely even when you’re surrounded by people.

You might be thinking, how can my brother-in-law, who is about to get married, be feeling lonely? We often mistake loneliness for solitude. But loneliness has many shapes.

You can be surrounded by people, celebrating life’s milestones and still miss the place, the people, and the experiences you once shared in your home city, hometown, home country. You are miles away in a different city, different country, still living, still with people you can talk to but not quite with the people who would understand your pain by simply looking at your face.

I don’t know if this kind of loneliness has a name. Maybe it’s the ache of missing the comfort of your past while still loving the novelty of your new life.

That’s what makes it so complicated. I never once wanted to go back home and leave my adventure. I know my brother-in-law doesn’t want to leave Canada to go back to Ahmedabad. But I just wished I could carry home with me.

If you’ve ever felt this kind of loneliness, I want you to know, I see you. And even if it doesn’t make sense to everyone else, it makes complete sense to me.

Special offer

If you want to explore this feeling, we’re offering a special 50% discount for your first session. Just type “TRY50” to get the first session at 50% off!

Book your session here

Here are some things that brought me comfort when I was homesick [no judging!!]

• Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
  A classic comfort about friendship. Don’t ask me how many trip plans my friends and I have made (and cancelled) after this.

• Hum Saath Saath Hain
  I know, I know, it’s overrated and super cliched but it felt comforting to watch when I was missing my family and cousins.