European entrepreneur Nik Huno moved to India last year and what he experienced went far beyond th‘Shattered My Western Mindset’: European Entrepreneur On How India Changed His Perspectivee cultural shift. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he shared how his time in India shattered his Western mindset and taught him invaluable life lessons. From how people view time to the strong sense of community, the lessons Huno learned reshaped his outlook on life.
“I’m European. Last year, I moved to India. What I experienced shattered my Western mindset. Here are 10 life-changing lessons I learned in India that reshaped how I see the world,” he wrote.
One of the biggest things he noticed was how Indians approach time. “Indian trains can run 12+ hours late, yet no one panics. I learned that life doesn’t always follow a schedule. Sometimes, the best moments happen when you stop rushing and let time find its rhythm,” Huno added.
Huno was also amazed by how people make the most of limited resources. He saw farmers growing crops in difficult conditions and street vendors bargaining like “Wall Street traders.” He realised that “constraints aren’t limits” but they can inspire new ideas and solutions.
Scarcity Breeds Genius:Farmers grow crops in deserts.
Street vendors haggle like Wall Street traders.
Constraints aren’t limits pic.twitter.com/X6Qss0lu7G
— NIK HUNO 🦉 (@NikHuno) February 5, 2025
Another lesson he took away was for Indians their work is “sacred.” He explained that in the West, jobs often feel like a “punishment.” He noticed that in India even small vendors take pride in what they do.
“You can turn anything into a calling—if you show up with presence,” Huno added.
Work Should Be Sacred:The West treats work like a punishment.
In India, even street vendors bring devotion to what they do.
You can turn anything into a calling—if you show up with presence. pic.twitter.com/y3q7Pq3wzY
— NIK HUNO 🦉 (@NikHuno) February 5, 2025
He also saw how status is viewed differently. In India, wisdom often matters more than wealth. He was surprised to see barefoot monks receiving more respect than rich CEOs which made him question the Western focus on material success.
Status Is Invisible:Barefoot monks command more respect than CEOs.
Here, wisdom > wealth.
It made me question: What am I truly chasing in life? pic.twitter.com/3UORDFvn8j
— NIK HUNO 🦉 (@NikHuno) February 5, 2025
At first, Indian cities seemed chaotic to Huno but he soon realised there was an order to it.
