Is Your Lifestyle So Much Different Since You Left The Organization?

minimus

Do you see a difference in the way you live now that your out of the "truth"? More materialistic? More "worldly"? Happier person??

More free thinking.....Tattoos, piercings, college, politics, patriotism, alcohol, firearms, open intimacy/marriage, certainly much happier, maybe a little more materialistic but not excessive, holidays....pretty much anything I was NOT supposed to do as a dub.

AlmostAtheist

Guilt free, Min'. That's the only real difference. I do stuff I wasn't allowed to do as a JW, but that's all fluff. The fact that I do what I decide to do and don't have to wonder how some spirit being feels about it (not to mention all the un-spirit beings at the Hall) is absolutely wonderful.

Happier, definitely happier.

Dave

AK - Jeff

Well - and btw Minimus -another excellent question - we are still fairly new at this 'having a life' thing. Now, other than on this board I have few friends, so that has changed [but if you consider the conditional nature of friendship inside, I guess I never did, huh?]

I now feel free to take a political view when it comes up in conversation. I feel no guilt when I decide to allow the scriptures to tell me what to do - without the wt ref's. I am considering the need to actually retire now - and I know that I will not inherit that nice millionaire's house on the hill that I had 'dibs' on - so if I want to enjoy anything materially I best find a way without getting Armageddon spoil...

Jeff

BrendaCloutier

Guilt-free. Tx dave. That's a good one. It took me many years to get there.

Ok, today I:

Live in sin and have for 6 years
Don't wear dresses, I only own 1
Swear, but my dad taught me that
Watch, listen to, and read whatever I want
Do not believe Jehovah is God
Will enter any structure for any reason
Have taken part in "pagan" ceremonies celebrations and holidays
Don't give a rat's arse what anything thinks about it except me
Live a happy life, and am very happy
Love worldy people more than JW's
Sex is no one's business except mine and my partner's
I wear my hair however I want to, from butch to long, in any colour I wish
I have worn mini-skirts and bikinis. And open vests with only a black lace bra underneath... not very JW eh? Good!

Good topic, Min

upside/down

The "knot" between my shoulders that had mysteriously been there for about 20 years IS GONE!

I can actually "relax". Giving my "fight or flight" reflex a rest.

I don't "worry" about hardly anything- cuz I got nothin to lose anymore.

u/d

Golf

I'm no longer EXISTING but LIVING! I get to smell the coffee! And, I get to drink it too.

Golf

TooOpinionated

We feel truly HAPPY! We were always telling ourselves we were happy, but we felt awful constantly. After we made our decision to leave, there was a spring in our step and actual joy in our hearts. Even my JW SIL commented on how happy her brother (my husband) looks now! Gives her alot to think about.

JustTickledPink

Materialistic? I don't know, coming from the pioneering mother who raised me a trashy trailer to remain humble and stay focused on the "spritual goals", not sure if us buying a new home and buying new furniture and enjoying our lifestyle would be considered materialistic, I think it actually might just be NORMAL.

Working a 9-5 job instead of scraping by cleaning houses, hanging wallpaper, part time jobs, etc.

More stability, more normalicy, definitely more happiness.