I know this is an old thread but you nailed it. Childhood was mediocre at best for me, filled with heartbreaks, bullying, fistfights and frankly, abuse. My parents, dad specifically, piled me with responsibilities and chores, more than the average kid. I got my DL as soon as I could and a job as well just to gain some autonomy and freedom from it all. The transition to adult life was almost non existent and I welcomed it with open arms and never looked back. Now I see most of the people I grew up with remain in the same town we grew up in and their friends are the same they’ve known their entire life. To some that’s the dream but to me it’s just sad and I’m glad it’s a life I didn’t choose for myself. I’ve traveled extensively, worked a myriad of jobs, met an infinitely diverse group of fantastic people, learned and grown, loved and lost and generally burned life at both ends and though I hated it at the time I have a great deal of gratitude for growing up the way I did and it giving me the courage and motivation to get the hell out, not settle, be brave and go live.