‘Moving from Mumbai to Kolkata during the pandemic: Here’s what I experienced’

The photo is for representational purpose only

Last year, around July, at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, I decided to switch jobs. It wasn't an easy decision. I was leaving a job which I held for almost four years in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis when a lot of people were struggling due to layoffs and salary cuts. However, after a lot of discussions with friends and family - and a pros and cons list, I decided to take up the offer.

The new job was in another city but due to the pandemic it was going to be work from home, until further notice. So, I decided it would be wise to move back with my parents till the time I was asked to shift for my new job. This meant I had to wrap up everything - my four years in Mumbai -- and move to my hometown Kolkata.

It was around six years that I was staying away from home. In 2014, I moved to Pune for my post-graduate studies and then I shifted to Mumbai in 2016 for my job. The annual visits to home during those six years lasted mostly for two weeks or so. Of course, it was difficult. Every time I came back to Mumbai after visiting home meant at least a week of homesickness and missing my mother's cooking - and pampering. But my independence has always been dear to me. I have been and will always be very particular about having my own space.
So, shifting back with my parents felt a little different - this time my stay would last for months. This meant adjusting to live with my parents, again. Not that my parents are overbearing or interfering but at the end of the day, even for them my visit this time wasn't the same They were also not used to staying with me for years now. So, with a mixed feeling of nervousness and excitement, I moved back home.

I reached home on July 5, 2020. Immediately, I quarantined myself and remained in my room for 14 days. I had to be even more careful because both my parents are senior citizens with co-morbidities. It was understood that it was difficult for my parents to not enter my room for two weeks being in the same house. However, once the quarantine was over, the real challenge began.

Back in Mumbai, I had my own routine of doing things at my own pace and way. But now I had to learn or rather re-learn to do certain things according to how my parents wanted. Waking up late on weekends was not acceptable, ordering food meant answering various questions and concerns of my father and bingeing TV shows and movies led to arguments about being addicted to technology and not spending enough family time. Also, another distressing factor was that I wasn't happy in my new job and it was affecting both my mental and physical health.

After a few serious and not-so-serious emotional breakdowns and arguments, both my parents and I realised we need to meet halfway. A heart-to-heart during one evening made us reflect on the fact that none of us are wrong -- we just need to have better communication. The problem was that both my parents and I were thinking that the other person is trying to either intrude into their personal space or disrupting the schedule we were used to individually. The conversation wasn't easy, but I am glad we had it. The next few months were extremely smooth - while I got as much personal time and space I wanted, my parents were happy to watch the latest TV shows and movies with me. They were extremely supportive when I told them I want to leave my job and take a break, and focus on my health.

Seven months later, when I moved to back to Mumbai again (I was lucky to get another job offer), it felt harder. I felt exactly the same when I was leaving home for Pune. Somewhere I wished I could hang on to the comfort and security my parents provided. As I begin my second stint in the Maximum City, I am happy to be staying alone and having my own space, but I am also mindful about not forgetting my biggest takeaway from the past year - gratitude, towards my parents and the privileges I have.