Two years ago from 1st June, I learned that it could be a good thing to say no to love. I was in an oppressive and abusive relationship that was otherwise masked as the best thing to family and friends. The conflict was that I had feelings for him and I hadn't ever felt anything for anyone before, which at age twenty-four struck me as incredibly sad.

But I remembered that, despite the rare 'good day', there were billions of other people in the world all with hearts of their own that may accept me without having to control or change me to fit their mould.

I packed all of my things the night after my birthday and left the next morning.