I see a lot of hopelessness and cynicism now. Are you actually happier now than when you were a Jehovah's Witness?
Are You A Happier Person Than When You Were In The "Truth"?
by minimus 48 Replies latest jw friends
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Bendrr
Oh absolutely!
To borrow a bumper sticker phrase: "Since I've given up hope [the WTBTS copyrighted "hope" that is] I feel much better!"
Mike.
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calamityjane
Yes I am.
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xjw_b12
That's the problem with being a JW. You don't know you are unhappy, until you leave.
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SpunkyChick
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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jws
I feel much more at peace with my life now.
But happier? Maybe. You've got to understand though, that those were the first 25 years of my life. I was younger, fewer responsibilities, more naive. Everything new was exciting. I think most people would say they were happier in their early 20s than they are in their late 30's.
I also remember getting a thrill out of leading a double-life in the last 5 years or so. I felt sort of like a James Bond type, keeping secrets, doing what we could to stay one step ahead of the elders. It was a great thrill. I do know I was much happier as a JW after I started leading a double life.
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minimus
Why is it that so many seem angry or discouraged? Is it because they now feel duped?
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ikhandi
Yes I am happy, now that I am free from the mind control.
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talesin
min
Yes, happier now - at least I have moments, days of happiness. When a JW, I was depressed all the time.
As for discouragement now - it comes from all the work I have to do to overcome the damage, and living with the leftovers of the abuse received.
Now I have hope (somedays), and sometimes, even JOY!
talesin
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bikerchic
Having been a JW since I was 3 and raised in a disfunctional family I was depressed most of my life. I think the depression was caused from both my family life and the disfunctional religion. It took years of therapy to heal and get over the depression, sucidal thoughts and disfunctional lifestyle. The happiness and joy in my life came gradually......and I still have the same level of happiness and joy now that I had before I left the b'org.
Happiness for me is an inner glow I now look at life as a gift and enjoy it every day. I don't feel any different now than when I was in the b'org except the stress level is waaaaaay down. I'm not rushing around all day because I have a meeting to make or feeling guilty because I know I'm not going to make the meeting, or service or give my talk, or part on the service meeting.......much less stress! I like that!
You know I have been feeling hopeless due to world circumstances. Lack of jobs, health insurance, the cost of everything is going up and I don't see much hope on the horizon. I worry for my old age, no retirement set aside and I worry for my kids, things are much harder for them then they were when I was raising them. I think it's the condition of the world today which has nothing to do with JWisim.
Kate
