by Newborn 21 Replies latest jw friends
Actually, you have been subjected to spiritual abuse. It might be good to read some books about abuse and how to become a survivor, not just a victim. For example, women who leave abusive husbands don't get over it in just months. It can gradually take some years. Seeing a therapist might be helpful.
Blondie
newborn .. It takes time...for me it was five years, some take longer others less. It is now 29 years for me and the only thing I miss is my daughters who are still in. Give yourself time . It gets better and easier each year. Stay here and read of others experiences as they can be of great help to you. (((((((((newborn))))))))))
I know exactly what you are going through. I too am a newbie to this(since June 2008). Read "Crisis of Conscience" by Raymond Franz. It was so helpful and enlightening. Also, I find these type of support websites to be a wonderful tool to move past the guilt process(JW-Support, JW-facts and JW-recovery). I find that if I continue to read them and remind myself what the WTBS is really about, I know I made the right choice by leaving the organization. I am still having some lingering doubts in the back of my head but my common sense and reasoning voice are overpowering them. This has felt like a death of a loved one to me but it is possible to get past it. Best wishes on your endeavor and hang in there, you really have taken the first step to freedom.
My biggest regret is getting some of my family members involved.
My 19-year old college daughter is still very much involved.
Sylvia
I've been out for 7 years now. I feel free from the JW's other than having my side of the family in. I don't see them to often, but when I do try to avoid any JW talk........
never..........................Never.............................NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Warlock
For me leaving was easy and necessary. The problem I found was that it is design to do as much harm as possible to anyone that leaves. By this I mean they try to destroy your family ties if your family are jws and usually do a pretty good job. They also do a good job of getting you to have only witnesses as friends and are able to get most of them to fear or hate you when you leave.
I know a lot of people that leave have moments where they wonder what if the WT is right. This in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. I never have never felt this way but it is a form of mind control so it can take a long time to get over it.
Yes, you will be free with time. Get involved in a club or your community. It will help a lot.
LouBelle was right. Yes, those WT voices do go away. How long it takes depends upon the individual.
:For those of you who have been out for many years, do you feel you are totally free from them??
I've been out for 35 years and of course, they have no power over me, mentally or spiritually. That being said, this is also true:
You can leave the Watchtower, but the Watchtower never leaves you.
There will always be some residue left from the Watchtower in our lives, but once it is recognized, it can easily be dealt with and ignored.
Farkel
It fades to very, very quiet, but it might not ever completely disappear. It was a pretty big part of your life, so don't wait for that to happen, just learn how to manage it. But it will get better.
