I purposefully lost my southern accent in order to fit in. I regret it

I’m a 31M, white, born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2018, I moved to DC and eventually Chicago. Before I left the South, I deliberately got rid of my Southern accent.

From common knowledge and talking to other Southerners who moved up north, I knew people tend to judge those from Alabama. I didn’t want to be stereotyped as I don’t fit into what people usually think when they picture someone from Alabama. I just wanted to give a good or neutral first impression and be accepted. I am also sort of ashamed of my home state, though I still love it for many other reasons.

Almost 10 years later, I’ve completely lost the accent, and I physically can’t bring it back…except when I’m back home or have had a few drinks. I still say “y’all,” but that’s it.

I regret going down this path. I wish I had stayed my authentic self, because people actually want to hear the accent, but at this point, it feels impossible to fully get it back.