It is the language, available tools and libraries, and the community. As a programming snob the fact that most of my coding is now done in Javascript is a threat to my identity managed with a handful of clearly reasoned explanations. This choice works with tools and libraries that support my needs and there are always more experienced programmers that can be called on when help is required.

I also avoided JS for no good reason until one day

Until one day you stopped avoiding it, or you found a good reason?

I stopped avoiding it.