Travel stories generally have a similar ending. There is a last day, last sunset, one last meal, a hurried airport transfer. Some photographs from the aircraft window of the clouds and then, back to home and the same old routine. But sometimes, did you ever think that sometimes, the most complicated part of a journey starts during the unpacking of the suitcase, while putting dirty clothes in the laundry and looking at the pictures from the trip.That was the experience shared recently by IIT-Kanpur graduate Kanak Agrawal after returning from Sri Lanka. She shared a post about the less-discussed side of travel. She spoke about feeling “deeply disoriented” even a week after her trip. Her reflection raises a fascinating question for travellers: why can returning from a holiday sometimes feel strangely harder than leaving for one?A holiday is more than a holiday
Kanak Agarwal (PC: Linkedin)
Leaving home to explore a new country has its own set of anxiety and anticipation. There are flights to catch, places to see, food to try and unfamiliar places waiting outside the hotel. Even the small inconveniences like getting lost, figuring out transport or trying new cuisine, can feel exciting.Coming home feels different
Ella Sri Lanka (Canva)
Coming home feels different because of several reasons. The novelty disappears. The alarm rings for work, no more a sunrise excursion waiting. The familiar commute replaces scenic drives and of course emails pile up. Laundry needs to be done. The trip may have lasted only a few days, but the mind has experienced a completely different ambience. Returning to the old routine can therefore feel less like simply arriving home.Agrawal’s post captures precisely that unsettled feeling. Her observation that she has become better at leaving but still struggles with returning puts a name to something many frequent travellers quietly experience.Why Sri Lanka can make the contrast stronger
Haputale, Sri Lanka (Canva)
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country that is capable of creating this feeling. The island nation is dotted with a number of stunning beaches, beautiful national parks, ancient temples, green tea fields and packed with remarkably different experiences. Its attractions include places such as Sigiriya, Yala National Park, Ella, Galle Fort and Mirissa.UNESCO World Heritage experiences in Sri LankaThe country is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage experiences promoted through its tourism platform. That means a holiday here is not necessarily just about beaches and resorts but also about history, spirituality, wildlife and architecture.The “Post-Travel Blues”
Solo travel (Canva)
Travellers are generally prepared for jet lag, flight delays, lost luggage or unfamiliar food. They are rarely prepared for missing a version of themselves that existed only while travelling. On the road, decisions can become wonderfully simple: Where should I go? What should I eat?Perhaps that is why returning home can feel harder than leaving.Sri Lanka, an easy destination for Indians
Sri Lanka (Canva)
For Indian travellers, Sri Lanka is currently an interesting destination.As per Sri Lanka’s official Department of Immigration and Emigration, Indian nationals are among 40 countries whose tourists can obtain a 30-day tourist ETA free of charge, under a scheme effective from May 25, 2026.Sri Lanka’s tourism numbers also show that the island continues to attract substantial international interest. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority recorded 1,343,418 tourist arrivals from January through July 2026, with monthly figures showing strong arrivals during January and February.
