I am so thrilled to be writing my first blog post!!
I got married in December 2018 and moved to the United States in January 2019. It feels like yesterday, but hard to believe that it’s been 2 years! What a rollercoaster of an experience it has been so far. Starting a new life in a new country did feel like a mixed bag of emotions.
From the sadness about not being to gorge on mangoes every summer to loving avocados, I have come a long way!
Its not always about food, but you get the point!
Hop on this ride and experience this journey with me through this bittersweet story of my ups & downs.
It wasn’t the first time I lived abroad for a long time. However, it was the first time I didn’t know if I would ever want to return to my birth country. Or will I be calling my relocated country my home?!
Too soon to say.
As for now, India will always have my heart….and my tastebuds!
A journey into uncharted territory
Until I met my husband, Rahul, I never imagined myself settling in a different country other than India.
He lived in the US, so I had to move here post marriage.
Talk about crossing 7 seas for love huh?! I crossed 5! #epitomeoflove ?
I hail from Mumbai, a bustling and vibrant city. Also known as the city which never sleeps. And I moved to Michigan, a place where my dinnertime is way past their bedtime. At first, the streets felt so eerily quiet, especially during the bitter winter months.
Just like any bride-to be, I was excited for this life changing event but equally anxious as well.
Living overseas and making a fresh start did feel good but not having my people around felt amiss.
The thought of leaving my safe haven and relocating to a new place, gave me the jitters at times. But I knew that the reason I am doing this for, is to live with the person I love, and I knew he would support me.
I focused my thoughts more on the positive aspects than the negative ones.
Making a new city feel like home
It took me a long time to adjust to a different environment. To begin with, it was the drastic change of weather. When I left Mumbai, it was the usual 30+ degrees C. I landed in Michigan with a temperature of 1 degree C. which apparently was a good weather day!
The gush of cold wind in my face felt like an ice bath, when I first walked out of the airport.
The next day, there was a horrible snowstorm with the temperature dipping to -20 C. For someone who feels cold in 18 degrees C., this felt like the north pole.
The excitement for the snow was real! The snow is indeed beautiful, it’s like a white paradise.
A sheer treat to the eyes until the snow melts and the cold runs a shrill down the spine. I don’t miss that feeling anymore.
If you had a nickel for every time I rant about the bitter winter….
The weather was the biggest reason for the way I felt. The sudden change in temperature caused me throat ulcers and a horrible cold.
My skin had major breakouts & a face reaction. Every new change happening was making me feel down and low on self-confidence.
I thought to myself, no wonder people here love talking about the weather and are so looking forward to summers!
For the next year, I had a hard time adjusting to the bitter winter.
The summers are beautiful, though! Michigan is known for its lovely lakes and fall colors. I am glad that I got to experience both.
When I arrived in Michigan, it was peak winter, the sun set by 3 pm.
By 4 pm, it was pitch dark. Just like the weather, my mood was also gloomy and depressing.
As the weather started getting better, our social life sprung up as well.
We traveled often, our outdoor activities increased and we started meeting more people. Finally, I could see myself settling in, adjusting gradually to the cold too. Though I can never be prepared for subzero temperatures.
Missing home…my people..
Besides the weather, the loneliness was an unpleasant feeling. I did not know a single soul there. I was feeling homesick for a while, missing my family and friends.
Rahul’s friends were now my friends. I got along really well with them and I am glad to have met some wonderful people in this country who I can now call my friends too.
But I often miss having my loved ones around me, especially during important life events. Long-distance makes it impossible to meet whenever I want to. I wish I could teleport myself back home whenever I wanted to. Technology should progress enough to make this happen. A girl can wish, right?!
I have family here who live in the same country but sadly not at a drivable distance. However, just the thought of having family around is quite assuring.
And also, speaking with them without having to worry about time difference for once!
The time difference makes it difficult to keep up with virtual celebrations and conversations. I miss out on all the fun and important events because while I am sleeping, celebrations in India galore!
Initially, it was frustrating not to speak to people when needed and constantly calculating the time difference.
This is something I have gotten used to eventually.
Sharing same struggles
I met a few girls who are in the same boat as me. They got married and left their homes and family, and moved to another side of the world to be with their partner. I am sure there are plenty more like us!
A one way ticket to abroad isn’t all hunky dory as it sounds right?! I feel you, girl!
The struggles are alike, but you need to make the best out of the situation. Please don’t shy away from meeting and interacting with new people. You won’t feel homesick if you have some genuine and like-minded people around you who you can count on.
I love socializing and getting to know new people. I really believe that life experiences are learned from others. If you are willing to listen, everyone has a story to tell. It makes me reflect on why we do certain things the way we do.
Getting out of the rut
My family & friends are my mood boosters! I never had to worry about killing time when I just got here as they all kept me busy on video and voice calls.
I still do feel homesick every now & then but looking forward to my next India trip is what keeps me going.
The pandemic has made it difficult for me to visit home, but I can’t wait for things to get better so that I can finally meet my dear ones.
Gradually, I began to keep myself busy. I took up activities of interest, traveling to places and reminding myself that this is my home now.
What I love about this country is that there is so much to see & do. So I began exploring & started to enjoy my new abode.
Just when I started liking the city, we had to move again! And I thought such is life! It won’t let you get too comfortable.
While I was looking forward to escaping the winters, I knew I would miss our friends. And the beautiful lakes & fall colors!
We were moving to Phoenix. Yet another strange place. This time for the both of us. But with previous experience, I was now feeling hopeful & positive about this move.
I feel blessed to have found more friends here who we get along well with. I am gradually liking this country, getting comfortable with things, and not feeling like a stranger in a strange land anymore.
Season of life
If you can relate to my story and wonder how to make things easy for you, my first advice would be not to worry yourself much.
Just be yourself, absorb your new environment, new weather, new people, etc.
Keep yourself busy. You will take some time to get into a routine, so take up activities or hobbies and do what you love. Try to meet more people and interact with them.
Explore the new city, understand the vibe of the place, and how different things are. Allow yourself some time to start liking the new place and call it your home!
It makes me so happy to know that you are here on my blog, reading my first post! Hopefully, you enjoyed reading it. Please don’t hesitate to say hi, drop a message, or comment in the section below!
Excited to get to know each one of you! See you soon again!