No, seriously, this blog isn't Canada vs India. And definitely not a comparison like- India has warmth, and Canada has clean air- the internet is full of that already. But more personal and living the best of both worlds.
February marked a year since I moved from India to Canada. I didn't do it for opportunity, but for love. And for the same reason, it was both a little tough and easy for me. Tough, because immigration is still immigration. New systems, new weather, new ways, and nothing familiar. Easy, because I had a hand to hold on to while I was going through all the uncertainty. The weight felt a little less.
A year later, I am in a better place. Not because I tried harder to fit in, but because I stopped pressuring myself and my home to do so.
This Is Personal, But You Might Have Felt The Same!
If you are an immigrant from anywhere in the world, hear me out- adaptation is non-negotiable. Learn the language. Respect the culture. Understand the social ways. Every country deserves that from those who choose to live in it.
But adaptation never meant erasing who you are and what makes you, "YOU"!
There is absolutely no immigration rule that ever said- give up on your rituals, ethics, food habits, comfort things, and way of living. They only asked to do it all that shaped you, while respecting everyone around. I call it basic humanity.
In my early months here, I tried to do everything the Canadian way. Ended up getting an identity crisis, a lot of frustration, a strange sense of loss and a feeling that I was performing a version of myself that even I couldn't keep up with.
And then, one random day, after months of quiet discomfort, I decided to live the way I would back home. It wasn't an Eureka moment that fixed it all. But those gradual changes in my day-to-day life made my immigration life a lot easier. What did I do differently? I cooked the food I grew up eating. I arranged my home the way it felt comforting. I allowed my rituals to be visible. I spoke the way I normally would. And did a lot more…In my words, I decided not to write as Kafka would, but how I would.
And something shifted.
I developed more acceptance and gratitude, gained a few genuine smiles at the store counter, and had a (strange) feeling that I probably don't want to leave this country anytime soon. Conversations with strangers felt easier. I wasn't guarded anymore, so I didn't appear distant. When you are at ease in your own identity, people sense it.
Why I Choose Not To Westernise My Home
Let me say this clearly: Western homes are not "bad." In fact, if anything, they are aesthetically beautiful- minimal, structured, calm. I admire them.
But admiration does not equal imitation.
I can adapt to the Canadian winter.
I can adapt to the systems.
I can dress appropriately for the climate.
What I cannot and do not wish to do is remove the surroundings that ground me. Home for me is more than the furniture. Not like any dramatic declarations of culture, but in everyday life, about how I wake up, why I eat what I eat, how I handle my finances, etc, etc. Ordinary, everyday habits that build my identity. And something, I feel, that the rest of the world can learn from the Indians.
Did I just make a bold statement?
Looks like I am not taking it back!
As much as I appreciate Canada for the opportunities it offers, my "Indian ways" are what made me capable of receiving those opportunities in the first place. And here, everything under the sky counts- me able to bear the Canadian winter has more to do with my eating habits than with the winter gear. My ability to manage and budget my household is more about my financial knowledge than my income. My decision to follow everyday rituals made me a little more vibrant even in -20 degrees.
So, while you can hate me or love me for yet another "opinionated blog", here I decided to write a 10-blog series on how I will never westernise my Indian Home in Canada. Because my "Indian Habits" made my survival a breeze. And if you aren't an Indian but still love what I write, this blog series will be a tip for you and a little trip to Indian households. Maybe you will end up adapting to a few things, too.
This Is Just The Beginning. Can We Continue?
I promise, this series won't be boring. I will be just reflecting on my day, and will share an honest, intentional habit that helps me stay humble, disciplined, spiritual and make my days a little easier. If anything, I expect you to maybe treat this as a crash course on "how some Indian habits are worth adopting".