Journey Out Of The Watchtower—The Adventure Begins

by The wanderer 7 Replies latest jw friends

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  The wanderer

  Journey Out Of The Watchtower—The Adventure Begins

  After a person has spent 10, 20, 30, or more years imprisoned in the Watchtower Society’s
  ideology chamber known as the Kingdom Hall, moving on can prove to be a daunting task.

  After The Dust Has Settled

  The depression has broken, but the anger and bitterness remain. After all, you were certain
  this was the truth and you shaped and formed your life around it. Now you are confronted
  with a rebuilding process but were to start?

  The Rebuilding Process

  Some individuals seek out religion others shy away from it and still others experiment in matters
  they never would have had they still belonged to the organization.

  I think it is safe to say, that no matter what path you choose develop a positive outlook. Living with
  the past anger and bitterness of the Watchtower only damages your own health in the end.

  Keeping a positive outlook one day could have you feeling sorry for those still stuck in the organization.
  Then you will know you are on the road to recovery.

  Respectfully,

  The Wanderer

  This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.
  Neil Armstrong
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  Nowman

  Nice post Wanderer, as usual but don't that go to your head...

  We former JWs have every reason to feel all the emotions that come along with the journey out, however anyone chooses to do it. It affected all of us in similiar ways which is why we all come here, there is a common bond. There are some that are bitter, there are some that can forget, or there are some that have a little bit of both. For the negative ones, maybe the positve ones will have some part in helping them out emotionally, perhaps the positve ones will never know how they helped others. But, I do know for sure that the ones with the postive energy will affect someone on this board in some positive way.

  For me, which I feel very postive about life these days (inspite of alot bad things happening in the states), I still get encouraged by those comments other posters make or opinions on a certain subject. Perhaps Wanderer this goes along with another post you made "was there anything good that came out of being a witness"?, for me it is a deeper appreciation for life itself because I can live it the way want, whatever makes me happy, I have somewhat control over this. I think others feel the same way too.

  Nikki
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  mann377

  I agree. One piece of advice that I would give anyone wanting to leave the chains of the WTBS is to set down and make preparations for the journey. In my case I involved myself in other activites such as sport clubs, professional associations etc. This would fill the void left when I decided to leave later. This also gave me friends and some social interaction that I would not get when I started to fade. It is still not easy but you won't be an emotional basket case when no one will speak to you.
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  drew sagan

  For the most part, I can really say that a good number of the ex-jw community are pretty well balanced in their views towards the organization, especially when you take a look at what it did to them.
  
  There is one place where I think the most frustration lies, and that is when a person still has family trapped inside the WTS. I am dealing with it at the moment, and many on this board are dealing with it as well. It is a stressful and painful situation, and it can push people to the edge. It's in these situations that I can see people dealing with alot of anger, but to me it is quite understandable.
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  The wanderer

  Dear Nikki:
  
  Thank you for the nice commentary. Okay, I will not let it go to my head (LOL).
  I just think it is important to look at the bright side of things. I try
  to keep this in mind when developing my thoughts in writing.
  
  I had the good fortune to watch a movie called "The Secret" and I found it to
  be one of the best movies I have watched in a long time.
  
  I try to look at the things that I have in life, health, friends, education,
  income, profession and occupation and I am grateful for these.
  
  Take care Nikki, always enjoy your thoughts.
  
  Respectfully,
  
  The Wanderer
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  OUTLAW

  Wanderer..I`ve been out a long time..But..The Cult still affects my life..I still have family in it..It`s hard to forget when it`s shoved in your face at every possible opportunity..Thats one reason why I live where I do...I think people could get over the pain quicker if that didn`t happen..Unfortunatly the WBT$ took care of that little problem long ago..Once the WBT$ gets into your family,it becomes thier family..You become an onlooker watching a thief enjoy what does not belong to them and theres not a dam thing you can do about it.....Broken homes,Broken familys,Broken marrages,Broken lives..Something you will have to face every day,for the rest of your life.....The standard WBT$ reply from most JW`s:"You wouldn`t be so unhappy if you hadn`t left Jehovah..Translation.."We wouldn`t have to ruin your life if you would just do what the WBT$ demands.".....In the real world it`s called "Extortion"..In the Cult the Jehovah`s Witness`s it`s called a Religious Relief.The WBT$ says so...OUTLAW
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  The wanderer

  I understand Outlaw, but I do not want the
  Watchtower to rule over me for the rest of
  my life.
  
  I have to think positively and do things in
  a constructive manner, otherwise, I will allow
  the Watchtower to enslave me all over again.
  
  I respect you viewpoint, but I hope you see
  mine as well.
  
  Your friend,
  
  The Wanderer
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  Hortensia

  I think it is more damaging for those who have family in the organization or close friends that they stand to lose, and of course disfellowshipping is extremely damaging. People like me with nothing to lose and who weren't DF'd I think suffer less withdrawal, less depression and grief. It was still hard, and depressing, but I didn't have many family ties and I soon saw how false my "friendships" were. What was hardest was feeling like someone from another planet as I tried to create a new life, find a career, make new friends. I think there's a name for that feeling - can't think of what it is right now - but I felt as if I had been dropped onto another planet with no clue about how to behave.