In a recent Instagram video, Indian expat Himani Sharma reflected on the one aspect of European life she would miss the most if she ever returned to India.
Indian expat Himani Sharma spent four years in Germany, where a different approach to life transformed her understanding of work, leisure and human connection. In a recent Instagram video, Sharma reflected on the one aspect of European life she would miss the most if she ever returned to India.
“One thing I will really miss if I ever go back to India is how life slows down in Europe after 6 pm. Like shops are shut, work is over, and people actually go back to living their life,” she said.
Sharma admitted that adapting to this lifestyle was initially a major culture shock. Having grown up in India’s fast-paced environment, she was accustomed to a culture where work often extends beyond office hours and quietly follows people into their personal lives.
“And honestly, this was such a culture shock for me in the beginning because back in India, even when we meet friends, we are still mentally at work, checking phones, replying to messages, eating quickly, talking a little, and then leaving,” she explained.
However, as time passed, Sharma began to appreciate the slower rhythm of European evenings. Instead of rushing from one commitment to the next, she witnessed people making space for meaningful conversations, genuine relationships and moments of stillness.
“But in Europe, people sit in cafes for hours, sipping one drink slowly, having deep conversations, enjoying the weather, ordering a little food, and simply spending time with each other. Nobody is constantly on their phone,” she said.
The experience, Sharma noted, reshaped her perspective in ways she never anticipated when she first moved abroad. Living in Germany taught her the value of being fully present rather than constantly juggling responsibilities and distractions.
“I feel like living in Europe taught me how to be fully present in the moment. And honestly, I really wish we had more of this culture back in my home country too,” she added.
Expanding on the thought in her caption, Sharma reflected on the profound cultural shift she experienced during her years in Germany.
“After living in Germany for 4 years, one of the biggest cultural shifts for me was seeing how people genuinely disconnect from work and reconnect with life.”