I Left Home And Became A Different Woman | Identity, Belonging & Motherhood

What if moving countries didn’t just change where you live, but who you become?Shruti never imagined she would leave India. But after building a life in Ireland, Finland and the United States, she realised something far bigger had changed than her address.Each country challenged what she believed about success, body image, womanhood, motherhood and belonging until she no longer recognised the person who had left home.In this conversation, we explore:• How moving abroad can completely reshape your identity• Depression, loneliness and rebuilding from scratch• Body image, skin colour and beauty standards in India versus other countries• Women’s roles and how different cultures changed her beliefs about freedom and independence• Raising a daughter between Indian and American cultures• Why trying to fit in made her lose herself• The hidden guilt of leaving family behind• Why home can become a feeling instead of a placeThis conversation isn’t just about immigration. It’s about the powerful ways our environment shapes who we become, and what happens when we finally start questioning those beliefs.