To the redditors that decided to just leave home and start a new life. How is it going and do you have any advice for someone wanting to take the same path?

Leave money aside for stuff you didn't plan for, like utility cost spikes, property tax, insurance hike, new roof, electrical and plumbing repairs, paving driveway, HOA fines, etc.

I don't know if you're talking about people who go to another country, change identity and never contact any people from their past before or not...

My "starting a new life" wasn't as drastic.

I was bullied since I can remember. I was the weird kid - 6 months ago I was diagnosed with ADHD and autism, so it kinda explains it. I wasn't bullied like just being called names or laughed at. No. I was beaten, I was locked in schools basement in a tiny room, without windows, food, water and bathroom. I had fireworks and petards throwed at me and tangled in my hair. Kids wouldn't talk to me. They would ruin my art. Tell me to kill myself.

It started as early as when I was 3-4 years old. Just a few kids being mean to me. But as you grow older, you get to know other kids. More and more people. And the first kids told other kids that I am weird etc and got them into bullying me too. It continued for 15 years. I was bullied but everyone kinda forget the reason. They just grew up bullying me, so it became as obvious as putting socks on before you go out. Just a part of everyday life.

When I turned 18, I quitted school. I started looking for a job. Few days later, my friend (2 years older, met her on the internet when I was 13, never seen her before, only person who was talking to me because I had no one in my hometown) texted me. She was going to an university in one of the big cities, and she wanted to rent a room with her boyfriend, but suddenly he broke up with her and the landlord says that she needs to find someone because he won't let her rent that room alone for the "single price". I said "Okay, let me just pack my stuff". I borrowed some money from my parents to pay for the first month. I found a job at a warehouse.

Two days later we were already in the city, renting a room together.

I met a guy at work and we quickly became friends. He introduced me to his other friends. Some liked me more, some less, but no one was like "ewww take that piece of shit outta here".

I started getting friends and buddies. Yes, I was still called weird, but people described it as interesting and were happy to ask me about my point of view. It wasn't negative.

My weirdness actually made men interested in me. It felt so weird after hearing how ugly and worthless I am for so many years.

Many things happened since then. I still live in the city. It's been 6 years. I rent a tiny flat with my boyfriend. I am not the most succesful person ever but after I got properly diagnosed and medicated, I almost don't think about kms. It gets better. Every day is a step. A tiny step, but a step forward. I have friends. Next week I'm throwing my first birthday party ever. I am super anxious because I was used to the fact that I always invite people and no one comes, but I hope everything will be fine. I have people around me. I start to believe that I am not worthless. That I am actually "likable". I try to convince myself that my friends actually like me and that when they say I'm such a lovely person, they mean it. But it's so hard to believe after all that shit.

I still feel broken and confused. It will take years to get these thoughts out of my mind. That way of thinking. But I grew up being bullied and laughed at for literally every tiny thing I did, so it became as obviuos as putting socks on before you go out.