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Indian Express

Why do people disappear from society? These travel stories hold the answer

Shreyansha Ghosh For Namrata, founder of Keemiya Creatives, 2014 was the year that changed everything. She quit her job and embarked on a solo journey across continents, severing all ties with her old life. 'For the next three years, I wandered – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I found solace in solitude, and a sense of freedom in being unreachable,' she told 'Every city, every village had a story. The chaos of foreign capitals, the silence of remote mountains, the wisdom of ruins, they all shaped me.' Eventually, she relocated to a Tier-3 city, where she knew no one. 'Starting from scratch was both exhilarating and humbling. I had no job, no network. But in rebuilding, I discovered the true meaning of independence,' she said. The weight of the world is a silent killer. It creeps in like dust collecting in corners you forgot to clean. Your mind hums with doubt about every decision you've made. Slowly, you start resenting the life you've built. You carry on with that weight until you snap. You retreat from the world, hoping to come back transformed. For many, travel becomes the escape of choice. People disappear because, sometimes, it's the only way to stay sane. They seek complete detachment from jobs, responsibilities, and endless to-do lists. To outsiders, this disappearance may appear to be escapism. However, it's often a necessary act of survival. Remember Liz Gilbert, played by Julia Roberts, in the movie Eat Pray Love? After a breakdown, she walks away from her marriage, a rebound relationship, and her job, setting off on a year-long quest through Italy, India, and Indonesia. Driven by desperation, she searches for happiness and finds peace instead. In a hyper-connected world where expectations are relentless, Gilbert's story resonates. Today, many people are choosing to disappear from society for psychological survival. 'According to the Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan), human beings are driven by autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When these needs go unmet, when life becomes overly controlled, disconnected, or draining, people seek out radical change. Disappearing can feel like reclaiming autonomy. It's not just about running away; it's about returning to the self,' Shruti Padhye, a senior psychologist at Mpower, told This behaviour is depicted in Nomadland (2020), the Oscar-winning film about Fern, a woman who embraces a nomadic life after personal loss and financial ruin. 'Many aren't just fleeing society,' said Padhye, 'They're looking for authenticity, for space to grieve, and for simpler ways to live.' She also said that these disappearances are often driven by emotional exhaustion, identity crises or burnout. Travel, in such cases, offers a reset, a chance to reconnect with one's true self. Chirag, a student of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), shared his story of a monsoon road trip through Meghalaya. 'We drove from Guwahati to Shillong, Cherrapunji, Laitlum Canyon, Mawlynnong, Dawki; the clouds and rain never left our side,' he said. One night, past 1 AM, they found themselves deep in a forest. Heavy rain. Zero visibility. The brakes slipped. 'No signal, no help. But we didn't panic. We trusted each other and inched forward until we found a tiny rest stop. We cooled the car, fixed the brakes, and drove on, almost laughing at the madness of it all.' When asked if this break from society was worth it, he said, 'Moments like that crack you open. They strip life down to its raw edges — survival, trust, awe. Stepping away from the world, even briefly, reminded me how alive I could feel. Out there, lost in the rain, I found something real. Was it worth it? Every drenched, broken, breathtaking second.' 'It's a natural response,' said Padhye. According to her, 'It's the mind's way of hitting pause; a reset mechanism that reflects a need for emotional recalibration. Disappearing into nature or travel can lead to higher psychological fulfilment.' 'Travel can not only offer a change of scenery, but also push a person to step out of their comfort zone to adapt and reinvent,' said Vaishali Arora, a clinical psychologist at LISSUN mental health platform. But is it healthy? 'If the decision is conscious and reflective, it can represent post-traumatic growth. But if it's impulsive or sudden, it may point to underlying mental health challenges—chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma,' said Padhye. Shreyansha Ghosh was an intern at