The Fall Guy
Years ago, certain steel components were heat treated in baths of molten salt and then a furnace, in order for them to withstand the stresses of the rigours to which they'd be subjected. Some components were twisted by the experience and discarded. The parts which endured could then take whatever came their way.
Ruined? Definitely not. More determined and resilient.
and...
mentalclarity
I did need a huge learning curve when I left to get some life skills I didn't posses as a born-in. The choices I make now about my life are very intentional - that includes being responsible for becoming aware of how my JW upbringing might have skewed my thinking. Being a JW took time away from me and I am not willing to let it take any more of my time. As soon as I got out I hit the road running and I am now reaping the rewards. My life is far from ruined.
I copy pasted the replies above because they express how I feel better than I can. On a good day and even a so - so day the above is exactly how I view it.
On a really bad day (usually precipitated by hurt due to still in family members words or actions) I remind myself that many people walking the earth today - in fact most, struggle with something. Some of their backgrounds are less than ideal, far less.
Being raised a JW was an obstacle but not the only one. Most people have situations from childhood of one sort or another they have to overcome, and overcoming them is the true heart of the matter.
This helps me when I think along those lines and I can honestly say the bad days come less and less the further away you get from the whole JW experience.