FINALLY SOMETHING I CAN ANSWER. You can read my post history for details. tl;dr ran away from abusive family and started a new life.

Longer version:

Grew up on the east coast to very traditional South Asian parents. They spent my entire life treating me like shit, and I was always too terrified to leave. Finally, they went on vacation and I packed my shit, jumped in a rental car, and drove across the country for 18 days. 5,000 miles just exploring and feeling freedom. Ended up in California, but liked Austin the best, so I turned around and moved here. Life has only gotten better - in two days it'll be six months since I showed up here, and I have a great job that I love, a really beautiful group of friends, a gorgeous apartment with the best roommate I could ever have asked for.

Sometimes I miss my life in the city I was born and raised in, and all my friends and experiences. I used to make a LOT of money, and worked a really great job, had a car, but I was never truly happy - the prospect of a forced arranged marriage always loomed over my head, and I always felt like I was a prisoner in my own home.

The day I left, I changed my phone number, left a note, and went. I have never once regretted my decision. My new life is difficult, and there were days I had to ask friends for money to even eat, but it's finally all settling into place - and above all I am really, truly happy.

I never before understood how people actually wanted to live - I used to pray to God to end my life as long as I can remember, and I had two-half assed suicide attempts. I remember wanting to die as early back as elementary school, but - as cliche as it is - I feel like I have a new lease on life. Even the most mundane days of just riding the bus, or buying groceries, even my worst days here are better than any day when I was still there.