'I was living paycheck to paycheck': Woman says returning to India from UK after 4 years was right for her nervous system

Arshiya Mahajan, an Indian woman who lived in the UK for four years, has shared her decision to return to India, describing it as the right choice for her nervous system, even if not entirely the happiest one.

Mahajan detailed the mounting pressures of life in the UK, including visa complexities, rental issues, immigration timelines, financial strain, and the uncertainty of her next career move. She admitted to living "increasingly paycheck to paycheck," often needing financial support from her family, while trying to project an image of stability. This constant state of worry, she explained, put her in a perpetual survival mode, affecting her financially, professionally, socially, and mentally.

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I was living increasingly paycheck to paycheck, occasionally needing my family to help me out, while simultaneously trying to convince myself that I was “doing fine."

Despite these challenges, Mahajan clarified that her time in the UK was not a failure. She acknowledged gaining valuable experiences, including extensive travel, meeting diverse people, becoming more independent, and achieving professional growth. "The UK gave me a lot," she stated.

Upon returning to India, Mahajan feels her well-being has improved. While she is still processing the experience and occasionally questions her decision, she is increasingly convinced that not all good decisions bring euphoria. Her candid post on social media sparked a range of reactions, with some Indians supporting her honesty and sharing similar experiences, while others posted critical or racist comments.

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For now, being back in India has been good for me. There’s still a lot I’m processing, and I’m sure I’ll have moments of wondering whether I made the right decision. But I’m increasingly convinced that not every good decision has to feel euphoric.