Has your " Self Esteem " Improved After Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses ?
by flipper 50 Replies latest jw friends
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undercover
Good topic, Flipper...
My self esteem is up and down. Never always up, never always too low. I have good periods and bad periods.
For awhile, I was on a pretty good run of high self-esteem, but some things changed and it's bottoming out. Thanks for the thread. It's therapeutic to read and share experiences...
undercover (of the the tomorrow will be better class)
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flipper
WANNAEXIT- I guess 3 times for emphasis, eh? You found your self esteem improved also after leaving the witnesses ?
UNDERCOVER- Thanks. Yeah- I think a lot of us go through our ups and downs with self esteem after we got out of the witness cult. That being said I agree with your viewpoint that tomorrow always offers hope of a better day to come ! It's how I roll as well and look at life when I have bad days. Hang in there - things will get better
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Maddie
Hi Mr. Flipper - To be honest I believe I never had a great deal of self-esteem before becoming a JW, but what little I had evaporated in the Borg rapidly! My childhood experiences were such that I was not able to feel good about myself and I was naturally sensitive and lacking in confidence. Since leaving the JW's I have gained more self-worth than I ever had before. I have friends that I can be myself with we accept each other for the way we are ( good and bad points). My outlook on life is more open and optimistic and I have a healthy faith in God now. I used to think I was a failure and would probably not make it through the big 'A'. I am now much more relaxed and accepting of myself and other people.
Maddie
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flipper
MADDIE- That is so good you have come to build your self esteem after leaving the witnesses and your outlook on life is more optimistic now ! I'm glad you have developed unconditional friendships and are more relaxed and accepting of yourself and other people ! Good for You ! 2 thumbs up ! It really is a learning exprience exiting the witnesses ; however I found out like you that my self esteem grew in leaps and bounds after leaving the witnesses . The world opens up and a much bigger picture opens to view of an enormous panorama comes into view ! I'm happy that you overcame your childhood woes. Keep up the great work ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
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Archer
yes it has, quite a lot
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verystupid77
Very food thread Flipper. Gave me a lot to think about. Thank you
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WuzLovesDubs
I was NOT a JW the first 30 years of my life and to suddenly be living in a fish bowl environment, where the women were subservient and silenced, yet expected to do the hall cleaning, the majority of the field service and NEVER allowed to teach the males...I began to feel like a loaded spring...being pushed down and pushed down and pushed down until I was about to explode.
I had just come off a really abusive marriage where the man kept me secluded from my friends and family and controlled my every move and treated me like chattel...and here I was jumping out of the pan and into the fire.
I was on the way out for 11 years...it took ELEVEN YEARS to free myself from that emotional baggage and bondage.
Once you are out you need to fill the space with something else. You cant just leave the hole there. Reteach yourself your worth. Volunteer places, hold babies in ICU, or read to kids at the library. Teach someone to speak English or go to a retirement home....you will see your worth and the love others will have for you grow exponentially.
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flipper
ARCHER- I'm glad your self esteem improved a lot ! Good for you !
VERY STUPID 77 - I'm glad you liked the thread my friend. Hope it helps you sort out your thought processes .
WUZ LOVE DUBS- I really feel for what you went through. It's hard enough to have come out of an abusive marriage with an extremely controlling man - and then like you say get into an organization that's like that too - very controlling ! It must have driven you crazy ! I'm glad you got out in time - sorry it took 11 years - but at least you are free at last ! Good points you make about helping others in volunteer work - it does help build self esteem