In the caption of this video, I share something personal: it took me more than two years to get properly accustomed to life in Kosovo. Returning was not the same as instantly feeling settled.
How long you have lived in Switzerland or Germany can shape the adjustment. You bring habits, expectations and a way of organising your day with you. Being connected to a place does not mean that every part of everyday life will immediately feel familiar.
Give everyday life a chance to become familiar
A return can carry a lot of expectation. You may want it to feel right immediately because the place matters to you. But a feeling of belonging and the practical work of building a daily rhythm are not quite the same thing.
Try asking a smaller question than “Was this the right decision?” What would make an ordinary week feel more settled? A routine, a regular conversation or a clearer way to handle one recurring difficulty can be a useful starting point.
Notice comparisons without living inside them
Comparisons with the place you left are natural. They can help you see what you value. They can also keep every new experience in a competition with an old one.
When you catch yourself comparing, be specific. What exactly do you miss? What could you recreate, and what needs a different approach? That is a more useful conversation than deciding that everything in one country is better.
My timeline is not your deadline
The two-plus years I mention describe my own experience. They are not a rule for anyone else, or a promise about how returning will feel for you.
Give yourself room to assess what is working and what is difficult. Ask people about their everyday experience, including the parts that do not appear in holiday photos. Returning can be meaningful and still require adjustment. Needing time does not make your connection to Kosovo any less real.