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‘People think NRI life is glamorous’
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Viral Reddit post reveals the emotional struggles of NRIs dealing with toxic workplaces abroad
A Reddit post by a Kerala-based Non-Resident Indian (NRI) has gone viral for shedding light on the emotional and mental toll of working abroad. The man, currently on a one-month break in his hometown, revealed that the thought of returning to his overseas job was already triggering intense anxiety — even with 10 days left before departure, reported hindustantimes.com.
Sharing his ordeal, the man described his workplace as “toxic,” marked by passive-aggressive behaviour, fake smiles, and colleagues constantly pulling each other down. He wrote that the mere thought of returning to this environment caused “full-blown panic attacks out of nowhere.”
Kerala NRI says panic attacks set in days before flying back to stressful job abroad
The NRI said he was cherishing every moment at home with friends and family, yet counting down the days with a heavy heart. “If I had enough money, I wouldn’t leave. I’d just settle here, live a quiet life, close to family, far from fake people and corporate pressure,” he confessed.
He also highlighted the misconceptions about life abroad, saying, “People often think NRI life is glamorous. They don’t see the emotional rollercoaster, the forced goodbyes, the longing for a sense of belonging.”
The post resonated with many NRIs who shared similar experiences of “emotional crashes” before returning to work. Some advised him to seek a healthier work environment, while others urged him to update his profile and search for a new job to escape the toxic culture.
