I'm not angry anymore...

TerriO

Hi,
My name is Terri, and I live in the South of England. I used to be a regular pioneer in the JW's, I stopped going to the meetings about 5 years ago. And my life has just got better and better. I like a lot of you on this site went through some tough times, not as tough as some of you. I still have issues that I'm constantly trying to reprogramme my brain about, left over from my JW days!! I've just recently got over the idea of looking into the truth behind the JW's. I'd never looked at sites on the web, probably still left with the indoctrination of fear of 'apostates'!! I'm not looking to get back at any of the witnesses, I still have a sister who is one, and I would hate to upset her. I just remind myself of how lost into it all I was. How naive I was, and how much I strongly believed it all, and sacrificed my freedom willingly for it.
I've been working in Sales recently, but I've decided it's not for me. I'm looking to study to become either a life coach or a hypnotherapist. Since looking on the net, I've discovered there are a lot of angry ex-witnesses out there (and rightly so) but there doesn't seem to be a lot of help or advice on how to get on with their lives passed the witnesses.
I've ordered the book crisis of conscience, so am looking forward to reading that. Does anyone know of any groups, therapists, books etc that specialise in helping ex-witnesses "de-programme" themselves, and get on with their lives in a positive way???
I remember one year, I think there was a scripture as the annual scripture they put up on the back of the kingdom hall on the platform. And it said "Do not lean upon your own understanding". And I followed that scripture all through my teen years. Each time, I heard someone say something negative about the "truth", or if I had any doubts of my own, I would quote that scripture to myself. Stopping my own thoughts. When I reached 21, I started to allow myself to think for myself. This has been the most difficult, yet most rewarding thing I have ever done! Very scary at times, but now I can be proud that I got myself out, and I realised for myself that I could live without that religion and live a happy life.
Is anyone else out there proud of themselves for the same thing??

I say I'm not angry anymore, but sometimes I feel bitter, of my lost years in it, but I learnt a lot about life and how not to live it!!

I hope I've not gone on too much, and I'd love to talk to others, and hear your stories about how you got yourself free!!

Love
Terri,
xxx
_________________
Always lean upon your own understanding. You have the power inside you to be great! Love yourself! x

Balsam

Good for you Terri,

The journey of thinking for yourself is not easy but very rewarding. Good Luck on your journey of discovery. Oh as everyone has told you Crisis of Conscious is a wonderful book and is required reading for shaking off the JW thinking.

Hugs,

Balsam

kid-A

Welcom Terri,

Glad to have you aboard.

fullofdoubtnow

Hi TerriO, and welcome to the board.

ferret

Welcome TerriO look forward to more posts from you.

PoppyR

Hi Terri! And Welcome.

I'm from the Uk too. And like you Regular pioneered. I also questioned many things and used to think it was my imperfect self that just could not see what everyone else could!

You will enjoy Crisis of Conscience. It is quite an eye opener. As to recovering after the witnesses.. I've never heard of any support groups in the Uk, but that doesn't mean there are none. In saying that, you seem to have made a pretty good recovery already.

I am quite newly out compared to you, but have many things I still need to work through, but we'll get there!

Poppy xx

greendawn

Welcome Terrio, surely most forum members have gone through similar experiences with the JWs while with them and after leaving them so they can readily identify with you. The WTS is just a fraud that uses religion and God to profit.

ballistic

Hi TerriO - I am also from the south of England and was also a regular pioneer. (went to the pioneer school in Plymouth) I believe there are "exit councilors" in the speciality you mention, I believe mainly in the US.

ballistic

oh and by the way, I'm not an angry ex-witness either. Just here to entertain myself and hopefully others (probably just anoy them actually).

anewme

Hi Terri! Yeah Im not angry anymore either. Water under the bridge. Spilled milk...that whole thing.
But I owe my healing to this forum. Here you are allowed to vent all that pent up anger and angst and ask really stupid questions about life (that you should know by now but thanks to being a little loyal dub you are a clueless adult about alot of things!)

After a solid nine months of posting here and having the whole forum pat me on the head so to speak and tell me Im a good person I feel a heck of alot better.

You are unique in that you did it all by yourself! Did you take some college courses that got you to thinking in a different way?
I think your chosen profession as therapist is a good one. Someone who has been through so much is in a good place to help others.

Welcome to the JWD forum!

Anewme

I'm not angry anymore...

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