At 18 i lived w my dad and 3 brothers, attended undergraduate college and worked full time. I dealt with a lot living there and I wanted to leave home so badly that i finished my bachelors degree in 3 years. I got accepted into a really competitive graduate program out of state. As expected, my Dad did not tell me congrats, he told me to stay home and not go and that i was making a huge mistake. It blew up into a pretty big argument. I stood my ground though. I prepared by saving all my hard earned $$ so i could leave with or without his support. He eventually came around and helped me move but is still pushing me to move back as soon as i graduate.

I'm now living on my own 600+ miles away and finishing up my last year of grad school. I found the strength to leave because i simply believed there was nothing left for me back home. I just felt so held back in every aspect living there. Overall now, i've grown so much confidence and have enjoyed the challenge and freedom of being alone. I am a completely different person compared to the insecure and beaten down person i was living there. Leaving truly changed me for the better.

Friendly reminder, “If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours. If not, it was never meant to be”.. Go chase your dreams!! The people meant to stay will always stay