“Leaving Home Changed Everything”

 

If someone had told me two months ago that my life would change this much, I don’t think I would’ve believed them. I was the girl whose biggest worry was finding the right outfit before school or getting to tuition on time. And suddenly, I took a flight alone, crossed oceans, left behind my comfort, my routines, my parents, my tiny world and stepped into a life that felt too big for me at first. But now, looking back, I realise how much I’ve grown without even noticing.

I never understood privilege until I didn’t have it anymore. Back home, everything felt so normal like eating together, hearing my parents’ voices anytime I wanted, celebrating festivals with them, being surrounded by familiarity. Now, some days all I crave is ten minutes of their voice. It’s strange how adulthood teaches you the value of things you never stopped to appreciate when you had them right in front of you.

In the middle of this chaos, confusion, homesickness, and growing up way too fast, I found myself turning to Krishna more than ever. Not in some big spiritual moment, but in small, quiet realisations. Somehow, I felt like He was always there, guiding me in every decision, supporting me when I felt lost, reminding me that I am never truly alone. I didn’t expect that this journey would strengthen my faith, but it has- and in a way that feels grounding.

The hardest thing, though, has been learning about friendships. I’ve always been the one who messages first, checks in first, puts effort first. And I used to think this was fine, because caring isn’t wrong. But being here taught me something important: when it’s always you initiating, it stops being friendship. It becomes chasing. And sometimes, backing off isn’t selfish. It’s self-respect. You shouldn’t have to run behind people for them to stay. Once you stop chasing, the right people walk towards you on their own. Just like that dialogue from 3 Idiots “when you stop forcing things and focus on yourself, life starts aligning naturally”.

One of the biggest transformations has been my relationship with being alone. At first, it felt like loneliness. I thought something was wrong with me if I didn’t always have someone around. But slowly, I realised that being alone doesn’t mean being lonely. It means being with yourself actually listening to your own thoughts, understanding your own emotions, sitting with the version of you that you’ve ignored for years because life was always too loud. And once you find comfort in your own company, that’s a kind of maturity you can’t unlearn.

These two months have been overwhelming, yes-university, deadlines, trying to adjust, trying to understand who I am outside the world I grew up in. But sometimes I force myself to pause. To breathe. To look around and whisper to myself: “This is how far I’ve come.” And in that moment, everything feels worth it.

Growing up isn’t about becoming perfect; it’s about becoming aware. Aware of yourself, your strengths, your boundaries, your emotions, your faith, your journey. And even though I am just 18, I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime in these two months. I’ve lost some parts of myself, discovered new ones, and held onto the pieces that truly mattered.

Maybe that’s what adulthood really is not just responsibilities and pressure, but learning to grow with grace, to let go with acceptance, and to love yourself enough to keep moving forward.

And if anyone reading this feels overwhelmed, like they’re trying too hard or running too fast -just take a breath. Sit down. Look at how far you’ve come. You’re not alone, even when you’re by yourself. And one day, this version of was scared, brave, confused, growing up this will be the version you’ll be proudest of.

Avni Singla