IIT-Kanpur graduate on the hidden side of travel: Why coming home from Sri Lanka felt so hard

IIT-Kanpur graduate Kanak Agrawal shared her emotional struggle with returning home after a trip to Sri Lanka, describing feelings of disorientation and being "scrambled" during the transition back to everyday life. Agrawal, who has spent five years frequently traveling, admitted she has mastered leaving but still finds coming back difficult. She described the post-trip period as "dull and dislocated," though not exactly sadness, as she tries to reconcile her recent adventure with ordinary routines. Despite the discomfort, Agrawal views the disorientation as temporary and worthwhile, calling it "the price of showing up" for life. She said saying yes to new experiences, like spending a month with strangers in Sri Lanka, led to "one of the best months of my life."