Thanks for such a thoughtful explanation, that is really, really appreciated.
One thing strikes me - did you ever think about changing your name and appearance? Grow a beard, get glasses, wear a hat, etc. etc.?
Or even moving to the other side of the country?
It feels like you might spend the rest of your life dealing with these kind of situations when people "discover" your past.. and maybe it would be easier if you just left it behind?
> did you ever think about changing your name and appearance?
I've actually never gone by my full name as an adult in anything other than formal documents. It never had anything to do with my history as much as it has been a strained relationship with my father whom I don't want to give any (potential) accolades to. Regarding appearance: I don't have the genetics.
I thought about restarting a few times, but I always decided that uprooting myself from my friends and my mom would become an unnecessary hurdle. The mind needs people as much as the body needs food.
As I am today, I'm not so worried about my past. Would I have said this a few years ago? No, absolutely not. But I've since moved on, and those days are far behind me. I don't plan on committing any embarrassing crimes in the immediate future, and I don't have any skeletons in my closet. It's a good feeling.
One thing strikes me - did you ever think about changing your name and appearance? Grow a beard, get glasses, wear a hat, etc. etc.?
Or even moving to the other side of the country?
It feels like you might spend the rest of your life dealing with these kind of situations when people "discover" your past.. and maybe it would be easier if you just left it behind?