Moving Back in With Your Family Sucks

I’ve been genuinely wondering how people do this: how they move back in with family as adults and don’t slowly lose their minds.

I hadn’t lived with my family for eight years. And since moving back home, I’ve noticed my energy gotten quite low, I’ve lost joy, I hate this living situation, and I hate that I feel this way.

But instead of running from the discomfort, I’ve been trying to understand it.

I’ve talked to a few friends, and we all agree: moving back home kind of sucks. But why does it affect so many of us so deeply?

First: the loss of freedom.

When we move home, our parents naturally go into caretaker mode. To them, we’re still their precious baby (no matter how old we actually are).

And don’t get me wrong, being taken care of feels nice… for a week or two.

But when it stretches into months, I start missing making my own choices. Cooking what I want. Doing my laundry on my own time. Managing my life in small, ordinary ways that makes me feel independent.

The other day, I wanted to buy gochujang and make Korean fried rice. The moment my mom heard, she started nagging about how I’d never finish the sauce and how it would go to waste.

I snapped and told her she didn’t know my grocery habits because I’ve never had them here.

It sounds small. But moments like that pile up.

Second: the energy you’re surrounded by.

Living with family means constant interaction. And it’s exhausting when your values and dreams don’t align with theirs.

Whenever I talk about my goals or new ideas, I’m met with doubt and concern. I know it comes from love. But hearing it over and over makes me feel like I’m slowly drifting away from who I want to be.

There’s truth in the saying that you become the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Right now, I crave being around people who think bigger, believe more, and aren’t afraid to try!

And lastly: the loneliness.

Ironically, I’ve never felt this lonely.

I’m physically surrounded by family every day.
But mentally? I feel isolated.

I miss meaningful conversations. Shared experiences. Being part of a community that gets me.

I still call my friends, but it’s not the same as being in the same space. Loneliness seems to be a common thread for anyone who’s relocated. And for me, it’s been the final push. The clearest sign that it’s time to move on.

I want to end this newsletter with a question I’ve been sitting with lately:

What’s the difference between avoiding discomfort… and knowing you’ve outgrown a situation?

Some friends think I should leave home as soon as possible.
Others think I’m just running from an uncomfortable phase.

But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks. What matters is what feels right for me.

So I asked myself the question I always return to when I’m stuck:

What excites me?

Which path lights me up?

And the answer came back clearly.

I’ve always wanted to be a digital nomad aka living on the road, creating, and exploring.

So in 2026, the biggest change is this:
I’m moving out. 

(Want to guess which country I’ll visit first? 🙂)

If you’re in a similar place: feeling stuck, sad, or lost please know this: nothing stays the same forever. And you have more power than you think to change your life.

I’m rooting for you. Always. 💛

With love,

Sammie