Go. Tour Europe. Live in a van with your boyfriend/friend/person who cares about you.

Have fun.
Be happy.

And as far as what to tell your mother - tell her this: "Good luck. And go fuck yourself."

Exactly!  This is your life, stop living it for them.  Will they be hurt?  Likely so, but that's part of life.  They'll either get over it and accept you for who you are, or they won't.  Either way, you'll no longer be stuck in this horrible limbo.  

Enjoy your trip!!  

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now"
-old Chinese proverb