Goa won’t fix your problems!
Life in Goa: Tourist vs Resident
I'm here to give some reality checks to your 'dream life in Goa' fantasy.
Proceed with caution! :)
When I landed in Goa a few years ago, everyone expected me to be supremely amazed by it. Even today, when people ask “How’s life in Goa?” I already can understand the reply they expect. I could see and hear the excitement in their eyes and voice, ready for my confirmation that Goa is amazing!
Is Goa amazing? Yes.
Do I love staying there? Yes.
Is it life-changing? Maybe but don’t expect magic!
In this post, I will address the third question. Gear up to get your bubble burst, if you thought Goa is all magical.
Goa is not all magic!
I indeed loved staying in Goa from the first day itself but expecting a place to fix your life for you isn’t realistic. And that is what a lot of people who migrate from a metropolitan Indian city to Goa expect and imagine.
Everyone who asks me about my life in Goa, continuously expects me to be wowed by it and rave about its greenery, slow life and all the other exciting things like events, parties and casinos!
If you want to know about parties in Goa, I’m the last person to suggest anything. If you have read my previous blog about Goa, you’ll know that I’m an “early to bed, early to rise” good girl. If something starts at 8 pm, it is highly possible that you won’t see me there! So, keeping that point aside, let me tell you about my experience with Goa’s greenery and slow-paced lifestyle.
Goa alone won’t fix your physical and mental health!
Goa is beautiful and green, undoubtedly!
I’m guilty of spamming people’s feeds on Instagram with its scenery, especially from my neighbourhood - a rural part of Goa, away from the tourist hotspots.
Green surroundings, clean air and water and being in a naturally thriving environment are definitely wonderful and can be magical in some sense. But it won’t solve your internal issues.
Greenery can provide temporary relief but do not expect nature to heal you magically. It is often said that nature can teach you a lot of things like patience, but you have to be observant enough to notice the colours of the leaves changing slowly as the season changes. Similarly, clean air and water will surely be beneficial to your health but it cannot replace exercise and good sleep.
Goa alone won’t resolve your issues, traumas and inner demons!
A slow-paced lifestyle in a good environment helps but it will not make your problems vanish into thin air!
You have to resolve your issues exactly the way you would have if you still lived in a city.
Changing habits for improving your lifestyle.
Having real conversations to resolve misunderstandings.
Learning how to say NO and creating necessary boundaries.
Making needed efforts to keep friendships alive.
Working hard if you are ambitious and do not let FOMO (fear of missing out) take over.
Going for therapy to face hidden traumas and healing.
You have to do this even if you are in Goa!
The unromantic side of living in Goa!
As we are not marinating ourselves in the romance of Goa, let’s stick to the mood and end it with my rather boring replies to the question “How’s life in Goa?” that bursts fantasy bubbles of people dreaming of leaving the mundane city life and living a relaxed life in Goa gulping beer and chilling at the beach on a daily basis.
Life in Goa is different for a tourist/traveller and a resident.
The mundane chores - from fixing ACs and plumbing - and shopping - are not as “convenient” as cities. Your city dweller attitude of “getting things done” fast and quickly as per your timings, won’t help here. Imagine telling your boss, “I’ll be late for the office because I’m getting my AC fixed for the summer”. If you work in an environment or with a boss where this will be looked down upon as an “excuse” or “unprofessionalism”, Goa is not for you!
All info about Goa is not available on the internet. If you are aloof and awkward about knocking on your neighbour's door and asking for help, you need to keep your hyper-independence aside and work on your social skills. The internet won’t make your life easy here. You will need your neighbour’s help more than you might be prepared for. So, be on good terms. Don’t be snooty. Greet them when you see them.
If you don't know/like riding/driving - like me - you'll almost be made to feel that you are stupid. (which you are not). Unsolicited advice from all corners will come saying “Learn it”. So, commuting is not as convenient as in the cities with their multiple apps. Mostly, people hire a bike. I do hope that public transport in Goa improves.
If you are used to getting everything quickly - you need to be mentally prepared - that you won’t be able to in Goa. Life’s slow-paced here and unless you are catching a flight, nothing seems to be urgent. Being a fan of “discipline, organization and punctuality” - I still cringe at the slow-moving lifestyle once in a while but then I remember that it’s ok to be a bit relaxed. It’s Goa - and this slow lifestyle is its true essence.
If you are a millennial wanting to lead a disciplined life - well, a lot of events start at 8 P.M, which often also starts at 9 P.M (like I told you - people are chilled out with being a bit late here too). That’s why I am always searching for morning stuff - they are the best (according to me). Read my love letter to Goan mornings here:
My extra suggestions :
Try living in Goa for a month or so, like a resident. Ditch a hotel or homestay, where you are completely taken care of. Instead rent out a small place, where you have some responsibilities to deal with. Talk to locals - the Goans. I cannot suggest this enough!
Explore places beyond the lists on Instagram and magazines. I hardly ever follow these lists. Everything in the lists feels overhyped.
Think about everything practically and then decide to shift to Goa.
Not on a romantic whim! Life’s not a movie - and coming to Goa, you won’t meet SRK who’ll make you sing “Love you Zindagi”! (Bollywood fan, anybody?)
I am Namrata Gohain, a designer-turned-storyteller, writer and content producer. I document stories on responsible travel, crafts, cuisine, slow living and my creative journey.
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