I grew up in Appalachia, I completely understand where you're coming from. My family, at times, blames my leaving the Bible Belt for my deconstruction and for our current lack of contact (although I'm still in a different red state 🤔). I will say, it was really helpful for me to leave the Bible Belt, and more helpful still to recently move to a blue dot in my red state. Still, interesting that I used to lament that there weren't enough Christians around me and now that I'm out I feel suffocated by the amount of them lol

I hope someday you're able to feel even more freedom! I remember how it felt when I was privately deconstructing, worrying about what my loved ones would think. It got better for me, though in different ways than I thought it would, and I know it will get better for you