Reverse vacation: A growing trend that urges people to travel somewhere less comfortable than home to gain perspective and gratitude. The idea, popularized by Bengaluru-based content creator Simridhi Makhija, challenges the traditional notion of holidaying in luxury. Instead of booking a resort or a first-world destination, she suggests deliberately choosing a place with fewer facilities—a village or a tier-3 city—to break the cycle of comfort and complacency.
In a June 18 Instagram video, Makhija described this practice as a form of trauma tourism, where you visit a location that is significantly less developed than your own. Her advice is direct: if you live in a tier-2 city, go to a tier-3 city; if you live in a city, go to a village where there is nothing that coddles you. She argues that this kind of reverse vacation forces self-reflection, reminding you why you should lock in harder toward your goals rather than getting too comfortable in your current environment.
The concept stems from her personal observation of living in Bangalore for four months, where she noticed herself becoming increasingly comfortable. Makhija believes that the solution is intentionally disrupting that routine. She concluded that instead of planning a vacation to a first-world country, people should consider planning one to a village in India, as it offers a more profound life perspective.
The post sparked mixed reactions online. While some users agreed with the idea of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, others responded humorously. Comments ranged from South Indians going to North India to jabs like It already exists. It’s called going to the office. Others argued that a low-budget trip to a first-world country might offer even more character development. Despite the sarcasm, the debate highlights a growing interest in redefining what a meaningful escape looks like. Ultimately, the reverse vacation isn’t about misery, but about resetting your baseline to appreciate what you already have.