I’d definitely not compare with others. This is the thing I learnt the hardest. How long will you survive comparing? Now the comparison is between you and friends, next in line is your richest friend, then the mayor, then the governor and then the president and then? Umm, Elon Musk, and ?

You see it doesn’t end anywhere. Nor will you climb this ladder and make it happy(it will in fact make you depressed because these are not “your” goals). Live your life to the fullest my friend. Not someone’s.

I lived abroad for a few years and when i would return home nobody gave a fuck. Nobody wanted to hear my travel stories and it seemed everyone just moved on. I returned abroad and settled in one place. I stopped leaving that city every weekend for trips. Instead I just hung out at the same bar every weekend and eventually met people. I even got a job and started hanging out with coworkers. I also got off social media and quit checking out what my friends and family were doing back home. I realized that I felt depressed when I checked.

It’s completely normal to feel this way. You will also have those things it just takes time. I believe one finds a place they feel comfortable and you settle there. One you plant roots everything falls into place. I wish you well.

There is no right or wrong way, you don’t have to settle if you don’t want and can keep experiencing life as it comes or you can go back if you like also. I am older than you and still living abroad for more than 10 years, currently living in a commune actually, so I feel like I’m also all over the place but it’s just how life is sometimes and I try to trust the process. You will find your way

Find a gf and settle down and make your own community.

Im Japanese who used to live in Australia for 4 years and now in France. I regret that I didn’t make more effort to stay in Australia… I miss the positivity there. Also the income. Haha

Hello, Im french man too. I came back to France at 26 after many years abroad, with a master degree in the pocket but not the most appealing resume. I sort of went “back in to the line”, getting a well paying job in consulting in Paris. One year later, I have money, work exp in my field and I have “caught up” on my peers. Yet, I was more happy during my years abroad when I was earning less haha. Beware the French work culture, sure we have lots of holidays but the hours can be fricking long and the management top/down, borderline toxic.

Honestly I don’t really have any advice, I am myself a bit lost too. The one thing I am sure of is that you need some goals. Since I became goal-oriented, I don’t show any sign of anxiety/depression.

Dms are open if you need to talk. Good luck!

Bro you might wanna post it on digital nomad subs you’re probably gonna get a better answer. Here mostly expats. Most of us here either we get a job and move or our job told us to move to another country temporarily. You’re a backpacker, it’s closer as being a digital nomad so they might be able to help you out better. Good luck.

31/Female here.Never been married. No kids. No plans either. Yes- pressure is there. But I just ignore it.

Reaching the age of 30 or (being in your 30s) does not inherently entail the necessity of either matrimony or parenthood. Yes it’s normal to be aware and see it as “ it’s there” but my me me me approach is way more important than “settling”. Just because I’m not getting any younger. I’m too adamant to change my ways and too selfish to share LOL

Just a suggestion, you can come to Poland!! There are tons of job opportunities for French speakers in decent international companies. I myself speak French and I could find a job so easily that allowed me to settle down with my partner and even buy a flat.

You’re young and you can start and build the life that you want. Courage mon frère

Everything is hard when you are feeling depressed. See your GP. Maybe try meds. Work-wise; What part of your business degree did you find interesting? If you have the resources, can you try and find an internship in Oz that is related to this, to see if it feels different if you are involved in a ‘real job’ setting? You could try the same for a few months in Toulouse if you can stay there for free-ish. Dip your toes back in without fully committing and building some confidence. Or just apply for a job in business and give it a go. You can always leave if it doesn’t suit, but you will have more data to base your decision on. My thoughts are you can always go back to France but once you leave Oz it may be more difficult to come back, if you leave it longer than a few years (no more whv after 35) Good luck.

Hey there,

Sorry to hear you are depressed im also depressed for the same reasons but as a returned expat to Australia. I think what you are feeling is completely normal and it appears your values have changed. Maybe talking to a therapist and doing some values exercises could help set a new direction for you. I will implore though that as someone who spent 5 years living over in the UK and Netherlands returning home to Australia wasnt everything i hoped for and now i cant go back to Europe. Id suggest returning to France for a visit and really assessing if it will indeed give you what you are searching because the doors to Australia will close. If you go home for a visit it might help you to feel a bit connected again and make things clearer for you. As for worrying about a job you have a Masters degree and plenty of experience you are totally employable. You can look for a business internship back in France whilst working in hospitality, start a coffee van the options are endless. It wont be easy but it will be different and allow you to re establish yourself in line with your values. Have some faith things will work out.

Feel you! I moved back to the states a few years ago and it has been really difficult.

Adapting to the culture after over a decade away in my late 30s, buying everything and never having money for much, trying and failing to change careers and winding up with a crap job, the car culture that I can’t afford, trying to mend broken relationships that have drifted away from me as people have settled, feeling like an alien because there’s a ton of normal stuff I don’t understand, and withering away because my once vibrant social life has all but disappeared has left me in a huge funk.

However, it had to be done because travel had run its course for me as it does for many people in their 30s, and even though I’m not sure about this life, or continuing life on the road again, I know that I’m ready for the next phase, but I don’t exactly know what that is and that seems to be your problem too. So, I’d say do some soul searching and see if you really want to move home and decide if it’s something you feel like you should do, or if it’s something that you really want to do because you’re ready to tough it until the boring life (and trust me it’s really boring) becomes something rewarding.

Anyhow, hand in there bro! There are a million paths for everyone, and I think you, and I have to find one to take to find the rewards that travel used to give us again.

Start a career in Bahamas or some other exotic place. Going back to France and had to do a job 8-17 will crush your soul. After being so free getting in a cage is problematic. You can always find a local lass, which I bet, will make you happier than any European gal. That’s my two cents.

Go back home mate, grow up and make something out of yourself. You have lived a fabulous life on the road for 10 years, now go back home and make something out of urself. No need to be depressed, u already have had a much more interesting life then most people who just stay in one place most of their life. So go back home, get to work and stop feeling sorry for yourself. Look back and smile and look ahead and be brave. Good luck sir.

To be honest, just do it. Move and plan the next steps one day at a time. Fear actually holds back what you actually desire and deserve!