How Have YOU Changed Since Leaving The Witnesses?

by minimus 34 Replies latest jw friends

  • noni1974
    noni1974

    In some ways I'm more open. I'm more likely to start a conversation with strangers. I'm not judgmental about people who are different than me. I don't judge myself as harshly as I used to. I know I'm a good person and I only have to live up too my own standards. I'm happier. I used to hate myself and wished I was never born or dead. I don't have the self hate anymore and I don't wish I was dead anymore.

    In some ways I'm more closed off. I don't trust people most of the time. When I meet new people I hold parts of myself back. I have abandonment issues and I'm often convinced I'll die alone with no one to care that I'm gone. I have a hard time believing people when they say they like me or or love me. I very rarely make the first move in any kind of relationship. I'm a born loner who likes people but doesn't trust that they are genuine. I'm harder on the outside but a huge softy inside with trust issuse so I don't show much emotion or attachment easy. I don't cry. Some of this stuff is from my JW issues and new since I left. Some is not.

  • doofdaddy
    doofdaddy

    The commune has 8 shares. All owned in common though. It's around 200 acres of old rainforest country that is slowing regrowing after 200 yrs of degeneration. We have community dinner once a week and have community work days to repair roads etc.

    Ages range from 2yrs to mid 50's. It's not so diffent to suburbia really, as all the hassles and happiness happen here too. I guess the difference is that stuff gets sorted out at meetings...It has to or the place would fall apart.

    There's lots of vegie gardens, solar power etc but most work off the property to survive this strange world we live in.

    Thanks for the question and apologies for late answer (being in such a different time zone)!!

  • chickpea
    chickpea

    i am becoming the change
    i want to see in the world...

    no longer waiting for paradise
    to be delivered at an unspecified time

    activist, contributor, thinking globally and acting locally

    loving how genuine it all feels...
    literally able to pass on a smile
    at the bank or grocery store...
    literally... frikkin awesome!

  • Lady Lee
    Lady Lee

    OK I've been out since 1985 so I won't talk about the image in the mirror.

    Let's see I've:

    • gotten an education
    • had a career I loved
    • became more open-minded
    • become more community minded
    • done volunteer work
    • lived with a man without being married to him
    • grown up a lot and have confidence in who I am and my abilities
    • learned to speak up for myself and stop people from abusing me
    • learned not to feel guilty for what other people do
    • learned how to have fun and still enjoy the little things
    • learned not to blindly believe what others tell me

    I could go on but basicaly I've learned to live free

  • Bubblie
    Bubblie

    I like Lady Lee have learned how not to feel guilty, how to have fun, not to blindly believe what others tell me, also done volunteer work, and done a lot of growing up. I am learning how to live by myself, even if I don't want to. Learned so much about myself. Have become more tolerant of others and their faiths. Freedom is a wonderful thing. One day I will be happy again with someone to love but right now I am getting to know myself very well.

    Kit

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