People always seem to refer to younger versions of themselves as “young and dumb” or something like that.

While I was young (once), I was not dumb. I dealt amazingly well with the stresses I was under and handled my life better than all of the adults around me and nearly all of my peers.

Also, why was going to Italy “dumb?” It was probably an amazing experience. Would she trade that for something else?

Sounds like just attempting to fulfill a standard narrative.

I was a smart and collected kid, and I did the right thing by myself by leaving as soon as I could, and keeping it together under very bad conditions before I could skedaddle.