Influencer quits Dubai for Isle of Man after saying it left her depressed

A UK-based influencer says she left Dubai for the Isle of Man after describing her experience there as triggering depression. In a TikTok video, Rosie Routledge, who posts under the handle @rosieeroutledge, explained that the city’s convenience came with mental-health downsides and led her to seek a different pace of life.

"Dubai is too convenient," Routledge said, noting that almost anything could be delivered to her doorstep within about 20 minutes. She said the ease of staying indoors reduced her motivation to go outside, a factor she linked to a decline in her mental health. "When I was working from home and ordering online, I was finding myself literally going weeks without stepping foot outside my door. As you can imagine, that sent me into a state of depression."

Routledge described the Dubai lifestyle as one of constant novelty that, over time, ceased to feel special. She said the city’s sights and shopping—such as the Burj Khalifa and large malls—were impressive, but their regular presence dulled their impact. "Dubai has the best of the best and when you’re around it all the time, you start to get used to it. When jaw-dropping sights like the Burj Khalifa and impressive shopping malls are constantly around, they’re not as special."

She also acknowledged downsides to a culture of continual hustle. While she appreciated the energy of people chasing success, she said it could create pressure to keep up with others in a crowded, competitive environment. "I feel sometimes it makes you feel like you're competing with people. You're basically all in a rat race, everyone’s trying to make the most money, drive the best cars, have the nicest things, and if you’re not at a certain level, you feel like you’re failing."

However, the most persuasive reason for the move, she said, was personal: she missed her family. Routledge posted a life update indicating that her Dubai journey had come to an end and that she was ready to begin a new life on the Isle of Man. She emphasized a desire for a slower pace, time with loved ones, and a focus on wholesome experiences and changing seasons. "Now I just want to enjoy a slower pace of life, seasons, time with my family," she said, adding that the isolation she described had grown over time and that the Isle of Man represented the opposite of Dubai for her.