I Didn’t Belong in the Cotswolds—But I Stayed Anyway

Castle Combe looks like a movie set, and I felt like an extra. My cousin wanted to show me 'real England,' but I kept waiting for something to click—some sense of home, or at least belonging. Instead, I watched the locals sip tea, their conversations folding over each other like old linens, and realized I was just passing through their story. We took photos I’ll never post. The stone cottages were perfect, but I felt like I was trespassing on someone else’s nostalgia. Maybe travel isn’t about finding pieces of yourself in new places. Maybe it’s about admitting you’re a stranger, and staying long enough to let that sting fade. #TravelConfessions #HomesickAbroad #UnfilteredJourneys #Travel