I used to wake up with a mission: Preach the good news and wait for paradise to come. Once that mission is gone, what is my purpose? I believe it is to make life more peaceful and happier for others.
I think the purpose of this video is so all who feel the same don't feel alone. Anyone who's not gone through what we have might consider this video meaningless ramblings. However, those of us who have, completely understand. Hang in there, young man.
Hope you don't mind a little bit of wisdom I've gained. When you chose to leave, you experienced the loss of what was up till then, the most important thing in your life. Just as when someone loses a spouse or a child, there's a gap, or a hole that one might feel needs to be filled with something else. Only, nothing can replace someone as important as a spouse. And it's almost as if when one leaves, they search to find another addiction to fill in the space of the missing religious addiction. One has to learn to live with the loss, to accept that nothing can fill that gap. The answer is to learn to grow in other ways. I like to think of it as eating a piece of dark chocolate. There's bitter, and there's sweet. You can choose to focus on either the bitter flavor, or the sweet flavor. Or, you can try to experience both at the same time. As you continue in recovery from the mind control, remember that in the real world not everything is black and white. Accept the loss, the bitter, and at the same time enjoy all the great ways that you will continue to grow throughout your life. Maturity will help you accept yourself, gaps and all. One thing about our world is that education gives a person more choices. You say you aren't sure what you want to do. I always recommend starting with taking a class or two at a local college. If you find yourself enjoying it, then you can move toward a bachelor's or even a master's degree. Then your choices will REALLY open up. And you'll have enough money to travel, if you wish. World travel, my friend, has humanized me so very, very much. It's been what has taught me true empathy, and love for my fellow man.
Thank you so much for such an honest video! I am going through quite similar situation, I’ve been mentally out for about 8 months now. I’m only 19 and on my gap year after high school, I wanted to spend it on working and creative development, but then got sucked into the whole JW mess and fell into deep depression researching the “truth”. It has been really hard changing my world view and starting from scratch. Now I feel totally lost about what I want to do in the future. Your video gave me very needed reassurance that what I’m going through is normal.🙏🏻💙
I'm so happy to hear you are going through this but at a younger age since due to my age it's been more of a struggle than if it were a decade ago. And I'm glad my video could help. What we went through wasn't normal but we can begin to experience normal from now on :)
I'm 46 having woken up in 2017 and am having similar hard decisions to make myself. It really is tough. And the real world we live in can be a very harsh, unforgiving place and makes it challenging to figure out how to navigate into a meaningful, purposeful life. I totally get where you're coming from.
Love this. I'm so afraid to officially let go, mostly because of mom. I don't want to break her heart when this is my heritage. I'll never go back. This will be the first year that I won't attend the Memorial. I have a support network but again it's still hard.
I followed your comments as you made your way through my videos and I gotta say our experience is way too real and similar to a lot of people. It's a hard journey; one that seems to never have an end but I do gotta say it gets better over time. If you ever wanna reach out just let me know and I can give you my email just to have someone to rap with and get through all this together. Take care bro!
Just wanted to thank you for your video. I know others have said this but it's worth reiterating. Those of us who have come from the same place know exactly how you're feeling and your video makes perfect sense to us. I have been out about 12 years now after being born and raised as a Jehovah's Witness. I am 49. I still struggle with trying to figure out what direction to go and allowing myself to think my own thoughts. It truly is like starting your life over from scratch. Just take one day at a time. Life seems to be accumulative....you start out going one direction and before you know it, you've been to places and have interests that you never saw coming. Don't expect to process everything right away. As you stated, you've been through in six months what most people have had a lifetime to adjust to. Again, I greatly appreciate your videos. You may feel like you're rambling but to us, it's confirmation that we are not alone with our feelings and experiences. Hang in there. So sorry to hear about your kitty.
Honestly I'm glad you post these "ramblings" cuz just how deeply me and other ex-JW can relate to this. Like this honestly brought me to tears cuz I'm in the exact situation- even to the point of moving across the country to be with my bf and being in a new city, n not having any friends or any real passions anymore. I even used to do photography like you. I'm 25 n feel like my life's been wasted cuz, like you, I only knew customer service. I'm finally putting myself through school to make a career that I want- in the medical field- n yeah I feel kinda proud like I'm doing something, but more than anything I feel unfulfilled and like everything in my life has been wasted because people my age are already doing the career I want yet here I am, 25, n feeling like I'm just.....too old n it's too late for me. Lol now I'm rambling but point is, ever since leaving I've had so much of the same struggles as you in feeling like I have nothing to live for despite a great bf n everything. It's just. Hard. But your videos help so thank you
I'm honestly happy that these videos can be of use to others in similar situations. I am thinking of making a new video soon to update how things have been going, some of the lessons I've learned, and what I would say to others the same position. I appreciate you taking the time to comment as well and to share your thoughts since it definitely is such a raw deal to get out of that Organization and feel like your life was robbed from you from an early age. But with enough inner-strength I think it's quite possible to scrape ourselves off the floor and start something special! Take care :)
Dude I feel you on all this I'm going almost through the same exact thing. I'm about a year and a half out of the organization also and trying so hard to find a purpose in life. You're definitely not alone on that man, But keep going forward and never stop!
I haven’t been out to long, and now feel I have to start all over making friends, as all the J dub friends I had have disappeared! I am trying to find purpose now, but it’s still early days!
Be patient with yourself. You were part of a high control group which sabotaged your goals and made their goals your goals. Now you're going to have to rediscover what interests you all over again. Go back to being 4 years old. What did you like to do? What made you laugh? If your mom left you in the room full of toys for 10 minutes, when she returned which toys would she find you playing with and how are you playing with them? You truly have a voyage of rediscovery ahead of you. Your blessing is you get to do it while you're still young. There are a lot of us who don't have that option. So go back to being a kid again. Learn how to play again and let what truly fires your heart come to you.
I'd already suffered a breakdown when contacted ,so wasn't really thinking straight but it seemed to multiply my problems rather than eliviate them,constant pressure to make the grade,I can't think of any other religion that is so demanding of your time , it's 24, 7 non stop all your life
I am you’re friend now if you like, we make our own purpose and remember things take time too happen and sometimes you might miss some of these folk it happens do you feel like you wish they can see you’re success
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I left the org about 5 years ago and I still go through that odd space of what to do with myself and my life and how to 'fit in' when I still seem to be an outlier, and not in a negative way. I'm just still different from the normal crowd. I feel like the point is to learn about who you are cuz we weren't taught that growing up in the org. I had to learn and discover interests I wasn't allowed to explore in the past. To a degree I think those of us who leave get to a point where we understand its not about what we're supposed to do...but more what do we WANT to do? And thats a process we missed out on when we were younger. The key word being 'process'...real life is a learning exploration through self.
I’m sorry about your cat. I have two doggies, and the oldest one of the two is actually my first pet. He’ll be 14 on April 19 (memorial day, go figure). Thanks for this video. I can relate to what you’re saying. It’s the first video of yours I see. I’ll search your other videos to see if you tell your story as a JW in one of them. I’ve only been awake a few months, since August 2018, and I immediately started growing my beard. My story is long and sad, but just like you I’m struggling to fit in this world after being raised in the JW bubble. Like you said, you’re not alone. I’m glad I’m not alone either. Thanks again for the video. You helped me feel understood.
Thank you for the kind words about my cat! And it definitely is quite a journey when you first begin to wake up, but my advice is to take it slow and come up with a plan to help yourself, however, don't do anything too drastic yet. I did that and it's been quite a challenge because of doing so much in such a short time. Be patient and do exactly what you're doing, read the books like Crisis of Conscience, go to the exJW subreddit, and talk to others for support. We've all gone through so much but at the same time we have the rest of the exJW community to fall back on for help. If you want someone to chat with you can always reach out! Good luck :)
TheRealScrooge hey thanks so much! I finished reading Crisis of Conscience three days ago! Now I started In Search of Christian Freedom. Thanks for your advice! I also joined the exJW community on Reddit and it’s been a great support. I would like to tell you a little bit about my story, if I may. I wrote a comment on a video from @stoptheshunning #stoptheshunning.org and I will copy paste what I wrote. Little by little I’m opening up more about my story. I think it’s important to let others know, just like your story made me feel understood. Thanks
TheRealScrooge Here is the copy of the comment I made to #stoptheshunning Oh wow, what a story. I’m a guy so I cant say I can relate to everything you went through, but I saw your story over and over and over again. I’m glad you guys had (have) each other! Coincidently I saw some of your husband’s videos last week and subscribed to his channel as well! I woke up in August 2018. My story is nothing like yours, I don’t think. In a nutshell: I was raised a JW my entire life. I have an older sister who married in the “truth” for exactly the wrong reasons you describe in your story. I also had a baby sister who was born when I was almost 14. My relationship with my baby sister was more like father/daughter than brother/sister. My older sister got married when my baby sister was 4 years old. From when she was 4 up until she was 11 my older sister’s JW husband sexually molested her. Neither my older sister or anyone in the family knew of the abuse of course and my older sister eventually divorced the bastard for physically and mentally abusing her. My baby sister became a cutter and went through years of therapy, heavy medication and suicide attempts. On March 17, 2014 my baby sister finally succeeded and took her own life. The elders in our congregation knew about the abuse and covered it up. When I found out they had covered it up I started doing my research to find out if others had gone though the same thing within the Organization. I found out A LOT had. I immediately let my beard grow and haven’t shaved it since. Of course, there’s a lot more to my story but that’s the short version of why I began to look outside the Watchtower bubble and how I eventually woke up. I’m a fader, I haven’t been back to the KH since mid December 2018. I still can’t be open or speak out about my story but I hope to be able to some day. In the mean time I want to thank you and your husband for being my voice against this insidious brainwashing life destroying cult.
Finding purpose is difficult when your purpose consisted of meetings and field service. I didn't even think of my purpose until I separated myself. Not bashing the KH but there's no balance. There's nothing wrong with separating from anything that no longer suits you or benefits
Wow. I found your video at a time when I needed it. I’m in the same situation as you and am trying to figure it all out as well. I know this video is a few years old, but how are you doing now? If you ever need to talk I’m here. I work a lot too and for me it’s more so a way for me to avoid the heaviness of it all. Hope you’re doing well. ❤️
I’m 56 years old and woke up in 2016 and I’m into photography also. My goal is to get back in to the art of photography. If you need any help let me know.
I know the whole Jehovah god thing has been pushed down your throat a long long time, but dont give up on the God who created you. He created you with a mind, intelligence, gifts, talents and abilities and He wants you to know Him so he can show you who He created you to be. Jesus said, I came so that you may have life...and have life more abundantly. The JWO is of satan so they absolutely know nothing about Jesus or the life He gives!🙏🏼
23. Was a MS, went to bethel, pioneered. I got disfellowshipped for having a worldly girlfriend and now 6 months later we broke up... now it finally hit me that I have no purpose anymore 😂 it’s sad and lonely. Definitely the hardest time of my life.
I know this comment is insanely late. For some reason I wasn't getting notifications for comments made on my videos, but I wanted to say I've gone through such a struggle myself and had to ask myself that question over and over again: "what is my purpose?" Turned out I needed to define it myself, to find who I was deep on the inside without an exterior motive for why I was living. So you definitely can do the same, find something you love or enjoy, and keep getting up everyday to pursue your joys.
Same thing happened to me when I left, looking for purpose and to do something meaningful. Is there anything in your area where you can volunteer? Online communities, even getting communities cuz it sounds like you are into gaming and stuff like that. It might be tough in your area if it's isolated. I think reaching out online is simpler, especially if you don't have as much time. You really have to examine yourself, what your commitments are, and where you can squeeze in things, even if it's just a little bit here and there. Even doing videos like this...I liked your previous ones... It's possible. I used to be a life coach, if you want to talk to someone or advice or anything, don't be afraid to ask and chat.
@@TheRealScrooge you don't speak Spanish, or it's not your first language? Yeah your situation sounds tough, I think whatever you can do to at least make yourself feel connected is helpful. In the bright side, it's only temporary; you won't be in this situation forever
@@angelgear It's not my first language so I can understand but speaking is tough. I live in a border town so I work in the US and have co-workers. I'm looking to start up a MeetUp.com thing for hiking soon, maybe a gaming group. So hopefully that will help out!
@@TheRealScrooge definitely! Meetup helped a lot in getting a game group together in my area, and it's been going strong for several years! I say go for it :)
Wow your feelings are so exact to mine. I feel like I don’t know how to talk to people. Nor do I care to! But then I realized that it was just the people I was around. At that time. Now that I work for a non profit organization. I’m around a lot more interesting fun people. And I forced myself to take interest in them. :) it’s working so far! I made 6 whole friends haha
That's amazing to hear! It's crazy to think how similar our experiences are as ex-jw's since we weren't raised or taught on how to speak to others outside of preaching to them since we were afraid to get close to them or befriend them. But now having different friends and opinions is fun so we get a better overall outlook on life! I'm happy for you and your social progress as well as your work at a non-profit!
@@TheRealScrooge thank you for the replies! It means a lot to me! Take good care of yourself. And like your said, it’s awesome to not feel so alone going through all this. :)
You sound like your in a new phase of your life. Join a couples club with your girlfriend to make friends. Change is sometimes intimidating but trust me when you find your nitch it's gonna be great. In brace the change. Continue to share your thoughts as well.
It's gonna take time to get used to another life. You've been institutionalized most of your life if not your whole life. It is an internal struggle for you big time. You're in the real world now sugar lol 😀. Keep praying to God to guide you daily on your new path to find purpose and to live this new life one day at a time. Non witnesses have been struggling with what you're going through all their lives. Don't be so hard on yourself! XOXO ❤️
Hi there. Hope you are still doing good! CHALLENGE TO ATHEISTS: BIBLE VS. ARCHAEOLOGY: ATHEISTS -- DON'T LOOK AT PERSEPOLIS! Lies can persist if you never investigate. Atheists tend to be very intellectual. But how smart are they? Let's take a quick look at Persepolis. According to the Bible at Ezra 6:14,15, Darius ruled for just six years followed on the throne by his son, "Artaxerxes." According to revised Persian history though, Darius ruled for 36 years, followed on the throne by his successor Xerxes (who ruled for 21 years), followed on the throne by Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes. So there is a conflict between the Bible and Classical Greek history. According to the Bible, Xerxes and Artaxerxes were the same king. But what does the actual archaeology show? Ezra 6:14,15 "... and they built and finished it due to the order of the God of Israel and due to the order of Cyrus and Darius and ARTAXERXES the king of Persia. And they completed this house by the third day of the lunar month of Adar, that is, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king." Archaeology shows that there was a co-rulership between Darius I and his son Xerxes. It also shows that Xerxes gave credit to his father for completing his palace at Persepolis, his father having obviously recently died. Xerxes was forced to complete the other buildings that were begun during the co-rulership. Records show those buildings were completed in the seventh year of Artaxerxes. Records also show that Darius I began to build at Persepolis in his 4th year. It also confirms a palace at Babylon was completed in just 2 years. So if Darius' palace at Persepolis also only took only two to three years to build, Persepolis confirms that Darius must have died in his sixth year, confirming the Bible's history. Other proof that Darius I only ruled for six years is at Behistun, where Darius talks about only the first three years of his reign in three different languages on a sheer cliff; then not a peep out of him after that. No important events during the next 33 years of his reign to document? Also at Naqshi-Rustam, where the Persian kings are buried, king "Artaxerxes" is buried between Darius I and Darius II, proving that Xerxes and Artaxerxes were the same king. You see, the successor to Darius I is well known to have been Xerxes, but the Bible calls him "Artaxerxes." Of course, we know now what happened. Persian vs. Greek politics inspired Xerxes to claim that Artaxerxes was his own son. So what? Politicians lie all the time. How would the Greeks have known that Xerxes and Artaxerxes were actually the same king instead of father and son? Problem is, once that conspiracy worked, the Persians went to great lengths to cover this up by revising all their pertinent documents, including the Neo-Babylonian palace records (i.e., the Babylonian chronicle was "copied"/revised in the 22nd year of Darius ii). The current problem is that modern archaeologists are not owning up to this cover-up. They are pretending the current timeline is true and reliable, ignoring the extra fake 82 years eventually added to the Persian Period to make it seem there was enough time for Artaxerxes to be the son of Xerxes. But as a result, it also requires the Bible appear historically incompetent. For instance, the Bible claims there was a 70-year period from year 23 of Artaxerxes down to the return from Babylon in the 1st of Cyrus (525-455 BCE); but now the revised records show only a 44-year period from year 23 to the 1st of Cyrus, a reduction of 26 years! (582-528 BCE). Furthermore, whereas the Bible limits the rule of Darius I to just six years, the revised timeline adds 30 years to his reign so that he is now ruling for 36 years, which is clearly contraindicated by Persepolis; that is, if you bother to actually look. So that means instead of the buildings at Persepolis being completed in the next three years by Xerxes/Artaxerxes, those buildings would have been still under construction for the next 58 years! 58 years vs. 3 years? Those buildings were completed in the 7th year of Artaxerxes. So did the buildings take just 3 years to complete or 58 years to complete? Where is an honest archaeologist when you need one? So what is going on? Simple: An ancient conspiracy has become a modern conspiracy. That's all that is going on. And atheists have been fooled by the lies. Politics are politics. Only this is going on at the expense of the Bible. This works if you can dismiss the Bible as inaccurate history, like atheists love to do. But do the Bible writers deserve that reputation when they are telling the truth and actually have archaeological proof at Persepolis? No. The only reason this works is because of lying, dishonest archaeologists. Archaeologists that don't want atheists to look at Persepolis. But do atheists even care? Are they smart enough (or honest enough), as they claim, to figure this all out? This is the modern age; we can handle the truth! CHALLENGE TO ATHEISTS: WHAT ABOUT THE PERSEPOLIS COVER-UP AND PROOF OF BIBLICAL ACCURACY? PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH YOUR EXCUSES!!
Stop your bely aching and get on with your life. The commute thing is really stupid and a big waste of time. I would work the night shift so I could avoid traffic My commute was 10 minutes each way because the heavy traffic was going the OTHER way. I wouldn't even consider do what you do no matter how good the pay was Get a hobby Get a motorcycle and ride across the US I did this many times and got to see the entire country The only advise is don't cross the desert in the daytime on a motorcycle Only do that at night I learned that one the hard way
I used to wake up with a mission: Preach the good news and wait for paradise to come. Once that mission is gone, what is my purpose? I believe it is to make life more peaceful and happier for others.
I think the purpose of this video is so all who feel the same don't feel alone. Anyone who's not gone through what we have might consider this video meaningless ramblings. However, those of us who have, completely understand. Hang in there, young man.
I truly appreciate your words. Thank you, and I will! You too!
Yes! One isolated bubble to another isolated bubble. You described it so perfect
Hope you don't mind a little bit of wisdom I've gained. When you chose to leave, you experienced the loss of what was up till then, the most important thing in your life. Just as when someone loses a spouse or a child, there's a gap, or a hole that one might feel needs to be filled with something else. Only, nothing can replace someone as important as a spouse. And it's almost as if when one leaves, they search to find another addiction to fill in the space of the missing religious addiction. One has to learn to live with the loss, to accept that nothing can fill that gap. The answer is to learn to grow in other ways. I like to think of it as eating a piece of dark chocolate. There's bitter, and there's sweet. You can choose to focus on either the bitter flavor, or the sweet flavor. Or, you can try to experience both at the same time. As you continue in recovery from the mind control, remember that in the real world not everything is black and white. Accept the loss, the bitter, and at the same time enjoy all the great ways that you will continue to grow throughout your life. Maturity will help you accept yourself, gaps and all. One thing about our world is that education gives a person more choices. You say you aren't sure what you want to do. I always recommend starting with taking a class or two at a local college. If you find yourself enjoying it, then you can move toward a bachelor's or even a master's degree. Then your choices will REALLY open up. And you'll have enough money to travel, if you wish. World travel, my friend, has humanized me so very, very much. It's been what has taught me true empathy, and love for my fellow man.
Thank you so much for such an honest video! I am going through quite similar situation, I’ve been mentally out for about 8 months now. I’m only 19 and on my gap year after high school, I wanted to spend it on working and creative development, but then got sucked into the whole JW mess and fell into deep depression researching the “truth”. It has been really hard changing my world view and starting from scratch. Now I feel totally lost about what I want to do in the future.
Your video gave me very needed reassurance that what I’m going through is normal.🙏🏻💙
I'm so happy to hear you are going through this but at a younger age since due to my age it's been more of a struggle than if it were a decade ago. And I'm glad my video could help. What we went through wasn't normal but we can begin to experience normal from now on :)
You are very articulate, giving talks served you a purpose in that regard !
I'm 46 having woken up in 2017 and am having similar hard decisions to make myself. It really is tough. And the real world we live in can be a very harsh, unforgiving place and makes it challenging to figure out how to navigate into a meaningful, purposeful life. I totally get where you're coming from.
I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling these types of things. But what we can do is encourage each other to keep on going!
@@TheRealScrooge Amen Bro! Keep on going! Onward and Upward!
Love this. I'm so afraid to officially let go, mostly because of mom. I don't want to break her heart when this is my heritage. I'll never go back. This will be the first year that I won't attend the Memorial. I have a support network but again it's still hard.
This brought tears to my eyes. I have a lot of similar feelings 👊🏾
I followed your comments as you made your way through my videos and I gotta say our experience is way too real and similar to a lot of people. It's a hard journey; one that seems to never have an end but I do gotta say it gets better over time. If you ever wanna reach out just let me know and I can give you my email just to have someone to rap with and get through all this together. Take care bro!
@@TheRealScrooge, thanks for the offer, bro! I'd love to chat with you! 😀
That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Purpose. I was in 37 years. It’s hard.
Im in the same place at 37 as well but learning who I naturally am is exciting
Just wanted to thank you for your video. I know others have said this but it's worth reiterating. Those of us who have come from the same place know exactly how you're feeling and your video makes perfect sense to us. I have been out about 12 years now after being born and raised as a Jehovah's Witness. I am 49. I still struggle with trying to figure out what direction to go and allowing myself to think my own thoughts. It truly is like starting your life over from scratch. Just take one day at a time. Life seems to be accumulative....you start out going one direction and before you know it, you've been to places and have interests that you never saw coming. Don't expect to process everything right away. As you stated, you've been through in six months what most people have had a lifetime to adjust to. Again, I greatly appreciate your videos. You may feel like you're rambling but to us, it's confirmation that we are not alone with our feelings and experiences. Hang in there. So sorry to hear about your kitty.
Honestly I'm glad you post these "ramblings" cuz just how deeply me and other ex-JW can relate to this. Like this honestly brought me to tears cuz I'm in the exact situation- even to the point of moving across the country to be with my bf and being in a new city, n not having any friends or any real passions anymore. I even used to do photography like you. I'm 25 n feel like my life's been wasted cuz, like you, I only knew customer service. I'm finally putting myself through school to make a career that I want- in the medical field- n yeah I feel kinda proud like I'm doing something, but more than anything I feel unfulfilled and like everything in my life has been wasted because people my age are already doing the career I want yet here I am, 25, n feeling like I'm just.....too old n it's too late for me. Lol now I'm rambling but point is, ever since leaving I've had so much of the same struggles as you in feeling like I have nothing to live for despite a great bf n everything. It's just. Hard. But your videos help so thank you
I'm honestly happy that these videos can be of use to others in similar situations. I am thinking of making a new video soon to update how things have been going, some of the lessons I've learned, and what I would say to others the same position.
I appreciate you taking the time to comment as well and to share your thoughts since it definitely is such a raw deal to get out of that Organization and feel like your life was robbed from you from an early age. But with enough inner-strength I think it's quite possible to scrape ourselves off the floor and start something special! Take care :)
Dude I feel you on all this I'm going almost through the same exact thing. I'm about a year and a half out of the organization also and trying so hard to find a purpose in life. You're definitely not alone on that man, But keep going forward and never stop!
I woke up at age 52, not easy but you have to start life over like age 3, reevaluate everything, Paradise really was always meant to be heaven I guess
Definitely. It took away from us the risk of not living away, and so now we see how big it is to live a full and complete life now.
I haven’t been out to long, and now feel I have to start all over making friends, as all the J dub friends I had have disappeared! I am trying to find purpose now, but it’s still early days!
Thinking about it I didn’t have many J dub friends any way! Because you had to be really spiritual, and I was never really up there with the others!
Be patient with yourself. You were part of a high control group which sabotaged your goals and made their goals your goals. Now you're going to have to rediscover what interests you all over again. Go back to being 4 years old. What did you like to do? What made you laugh? If your mom left you in the room full of toys for 10 minutes, when she returned which toys would she find you playing with and how are you playing with them? You truly have a voyage of rediscovery ahead of you. Your blessing is you get to do it while you're still young. There are a lot of us who don't have that option. So go back to being a kid again. Learn how to play again and let what truly fires your heart come to you.
I'd already suffered a breakdown when contacted ,so wasn't really thinking straight but it seemed to multiply my problems rather than eliviate them,constant pressure to make the grade,I can't think of any other religion that is so demanding of your time , it's 24, 7 non stop all your life
Love yourself, love others, be part of the solution to something, not part of the problem.
You have a beautiful cat. I love cats. I am a proud cat mom.
I am you’re friend now if you like, we make our own purpose and remember things take time too happen and sometimes you might miss some of these folk it happens do you feel like you wish they can see you’re success
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I left the org about 5 years ago and I still go through that odd space of what to do with myself and my life and how to 'fit in' when I still seem to be an outlier, and not in a negative way. I'm just still different from the normal crowd. I feel like the point is to learn about who you are cuz we weren't taught that growing up in the org. I had to learn and discover interests I wasn't allowed to explore in the past. To a degree I think those of us who leave get to a point where we understand its not about what we're supposed to do...but more what do we WANT to do? And thats a process we missed out on when we were younger. The key word being 'process'...real life is a learning exploration through self.
I’m sorry about your cat. I have two doggies, and the oldest one of the two is actually my first pet. He’ll be 14 on April 19 (memorial day, go figure). Thanks for this video. I can relate to what you’re saying. It’s the first video of yours I see. I’ll search your other videos to see if you tell your story as a JW in one of them. I’ve only been awake a few months, since August 2018, and I immediately started growing my beard. My story is long and sad, but just like you I’m struggling to fit in this world after being raised in the JW bubble. Like you said, you’re not alone. I’m glad I’m not alone either. Thanks again for the video. You helped me feel understood.
Thank you for the kind words about my cat! And it definitely is quite a journey when you first begin to wake up, but my advice is to take it slow and come up with a plan to help yourself, however, don't do anything too drastic yet. I did that and it's been quite a challenge because of doing so much in such a short time. Be patient and do exactly what you're doing, read the books like Crisis of Conscience, go to the exJW subreddit, and talk to others for support. We've all gone through so much but at the same time we have the rest of the exJW community to fall back on for help.
If you want someone to chat with you can always reach out! Good luck :)
TheRealScrooge hey thanks so much! I finished reading Crisis of Conscience three days ago! Now I started In Search of Christian Freedom. Thanks for your advice! I also joined the exJW community on Reddit and it’s been a great support. I would like to tell you a little bit about my story, if I may. I wrote a comment on a video from @stoptheshunning #stoptheshunning.org and I will copy paste what I wrote. Little by little I’m opening up more about my story. I think it’s important to let others know, just like your story made me feel understood. Thanks
TheRealScrooge Here is the copy of the comment I made to #stoptheshunning
Oh wow, what a story. I’m a guy so I cant say I can relate to everything you went through, but I saw your story over and over and over again. I’m glad you guys had (have) each other! Coincidently I saw some of your husband’s videos last week and subscribed to his channel as well! I woke up in August 2018. My story is nothing like yours, I don’t think. In a nutshell: I was raised a JW my entire life. I have an older sister who married in the “truth” for exactly the wrong reasons you describe in your story. I also had a baby sister who was born when I was almost 14. My relationship with my baby sister was more like father/daughter than brother/sister. My older sister got married when my baby sister was 4 years old. From when she was 4 up until she was 11 my older sister’s JW husband sexually molested her. Neither my older sister or anyone in the family knew of the abuse of course and my older sister eventually divorced the bastard for physically and mentally abusing her. My baby sister became a cutter and went through years of therapy, heavy medication and suicide attempts. On March 17, 2014 my baby sister finally succeeded and took her own life. The elders in our congregation knew about the abuse and covered it up. When I found out they had covered it up I started doing my research to find out if others had gone though the same thing within the Organization. I found out A LOT had. I immediately let my beard grow and haven’t shaved it since. Of course, there’s a lot more to my story but that’s the short version of why I began to look outside the Watchtower bubble and how I eventually woke up. I’m a fader, I haven’t been back to the KH since mid December 2018. I still can’t be open or speak out about my story but I hope to be able to some day. In the mean time I want to thank you and your husband for being my voice against this insidious brainwashing life destroying cult.
michael is a cool cat 🐈 🙃
Aww thank you :D
I love watching your videos.
Therapy.
Finding purpose is difficult when your purpose consisted of meetings and field service. I didn't even think of my purpose until I separated myself. Not bashing the KH but there's no balance. There's nothing wrong with separating from anything that no longer suits you or benefits
Wow. I found your video at a time when I needed it. I’m in the same situation as you and am trying to figure it all out as well. I know this video is a few years old, but how are you doing now? If you ever need to talk I’m here. I work a lot too and for me it’s more so a way for me to avoid the heaviness of it all. Hope you’re doing well. ❤️
I’m 56 years old and woke up in 2016 and I’m into photography also. My goal is to get back in to the art of photography. If you need any help let me know.
I've been a little hot and cold with it but thanks for the offer! :)
I know the whole Jehovah god thing has been pushed down your throat a long long time, but dont give up on the God who created you. He created you with a mind, intelligence, gifts, talents and abilities and He wants you to know Him so he can show you who He created you to be. Jesus said, I came so that you may have life...and have life more abundantly. The JWO is of satan so they absolutely know nothing about Jesus or the life He gives!🙏🏼
23. Was a MS, went to bethel, pioneered. I got disfellowshipped for having a worldly girlfriend and now 6 months later we broke up... now it finally hit me that I have no purpose anymore 😂 it’s sad and lonely. Definitely the hardest time of my life.
I know this comment is insanely late. For some reason I wasn't getting notifications for comments made on my videos, but I wanted to say I've gone through such a struggle myself and had to ask myself that question over and over again: "what is my purpose?" Turned out I needed to define it myself, to find who I was deep on the inside without an exterior motive for why I was living. So you definitely can do the same, find something you love or enjoy, and keep getting up everyday to pursue your joys.
Same thing happened to me when I left, looking for purpose and to do something meaningful. Is there anything in your area where you can volunteer? Online communities, even getting communities cuz it sounds like you are into gaming and stuff like that. It might be tough in your area if it's isolated. I think reaching out online is simpler, especially if you don't have as much time. You really have to examine yourself, what your commitments are, and where you can squeeze in things, even if it's just a little bit here and there. Even doing videos like this...I liked your previous ones... It's possible. I used to be a life coach, if you want to talk to someone or advice or anything, don't be afraid to ask and chat.
I appreciate that! I've definitely tried reaching out to meet more people but I am isolated a bit due to language but I'm trying ;)
@@TheRealScrooge you don't speak Spanish, or it's not your first language? Yeah your situation sounds tough, I think whatever you can do to at least make yourself feel connected is helpful. In the bright side, it's only temporary; you won't be in this situation forever
@@angelgear It's not my first language so I can understand but speaking is tough. I live in a border town so I work in the US and have co-workers. I'm looking to start up a MeetUp.com thing for hiking soon, maybe a gaming group. So hopefully that will help out!
@@TheRealScrooge definitely! Meetup helped a lot in getting a game group together in my area, and it's been going strong for several years! I say go for it :)
Also I love Mikal 😭😭😭
Aww Thanks! He's a sweet little dude who loves being lazy
You are super cute with short hair! Thanks for sharing.
Wow your feelings are so exact to mine. I feel like I don’t know how to talk to people. Nor do I care to! But then I realized that it was just the people I was around. At that time. Now that I work for a non profit organization. I’m around a lot more interesting fun people. And I forced myself to take interest in them. :) it’s working so far! I made 6 whole friends haha
That's amazing to hear! It's crazy to think how similar our experiences are as ex-jw's since we weren't raised or taught on how to speak to others outside of preaching to them since we were afraid to get close to them or befriend them. But now having different friends and opinions is fun so we get a better overall outlook on life! I'm happy for you and your social progress as well as your work at a non-profit!
@@TheRealScrooge thank you for the replies! It means a lot to me! Take good care of yourself. And like your said, it’s awesome to not feel so alone going through all this.
:)
You sound like your in a new phase of your life. Join a couples club with your girlfriend to make friends. Change is sometimes intimidating but trust me when you find your nitch it's gonna be great. In brace the change. Continue to share your thoughts as well.
31...?! I was figuring you in your early 20's, (21 or 22). XD
Lol same here
Star Wars 9 will hopefully make up for SW-8......!!!!!!
It's gonna take time to get used to another life. You've been institutionalized most of your life if not your whole life. It is an internal struggle for you big time. You're in the real world now sugar lol 😀. Keep praying to God to guide you daily on your new path to find purpose and to live this new life one day at a time. Non witnesses have been struggling with what you're going through all their lives. Don't be so hard on yourself! XOXO ❤️
What a cute baby kitty!!!!
You’re not going “turbo” are you
Hi there. Hope you are still doing good!
CHALLENGE TO ATHEISTS:
BIBLE VS. ARCHAEOLOGY: ATHEISTS -- DON'T LOOK AT PERSEPOLIS!
Lies can persist if you never investigate. Atheists tend to be very intellectual. But how smart are they? Let's take a quick look at Persepolis.
According to the Bible at Ezra 6:14,15, Darius ruled for just six years followed on the throne by his son, "Artaxerxes." According to revised Persian history though, Darius ruled for 36 years, followed on the throne by his successor Xerxes (who ruled for 21 years), followed on the throne by Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes. So there is a conflict between the Bible and Classical Greek history. According to the Bible, Xerxes and Artaxerxes were the same king. But what does the actual archaeology show?
Ezra 6:14,15 "... and they built and finished it due to the order of the God of Israel and due to the order of Cyrus and Darius and ARTAXERXES the king of Persia. And they completed this house by the third day of the lunar month of Adar, that is, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king."
Archaeology shows that there was a co-rulership between Darius I and his son Xerxes. It also shows that Xerxes gave credit to his father for completing his palace at Persepolis, his father having obviously recently died. Xerxes was forced to complete the other buildings that were begun during the co-rulership. Records show those buildings were completed in the seventh year of Artaxerxes. Records also show that Darius I began to build at Persepolis in his 4th year. It also confirms a palace at Babylon was completed in just 2 years. So if Darius' palace at Persepolis also only took only two to three years to build, Persepolis confirms that Darius must have died in his sixth year, confirming the Bible's history.
Other proof that Darius I only ruled for six years is at Behistun, where Darius talks about only the first three years of his reign in three different languages on a sheer cliff; then not a peep out of him after that. No important events during the next 33 years of his reign to document? Also at Naqshi-Rustam, where the Persian kings are buried, king "Artaxerxes" is buried between Darius I and Darius II, proving that Xerxes and Artaxerxes were the same king. You see, the successor to Darius I is well known to have been Xerxes, but the Bible calls him "Artaxerxes." Of course, we know now what happened. Persian vs. Greek politics inspired Xerxes to claim that Artaxerxes was his own son. So what? Politicians lie all the time. How would the Greeks have known that Xerxes and Artaxerxes were actually the same king instead of father and son? Problem is, once that conspiracy worked, the Persians went to great lengths to cover this up by revising all their pertinent documents, including the Neo-Babylonian palace records (i.e., the Babylonian chronicle was "copied"/revised in the 22nd year of Darius ii). The current problem is that modern archaeologists are not owning up to this cover-up. They are pretending the current timeline is true and reliable, ignoring the extra fake 82 years eventually added to the Persian Period to make it seem there was enough time for Artaxerxes to be the son of Xerxes. But as a result, it also requires the Bible appear historically incompetent.
For instance, the Bible claims there was a 70-year period from year 23 of Artaxerxes down to the return from Babylon in the 1st of Cyrus (525-455 BCE); but now the revised records show only a 44-year period from year 23 to the 1st of Cyrus, a reduction of 26 years! (582-528 BCE). Furthermore, whereas the Bible limits the rule of Darius I to just six years, the revised timeline adds 30 years to his reign so that he is now ruling for 36 years, which is clearly contraindicated by Persepolis; that is, if you bother to actually look. So that means instead of the buildings at Persepolis being completed in the next three years by Xerxes/Artaxerxes, those buildings would have been still under construction for the next 58 years! 58 years vs. 3 years? Those buildings were completed in the 7th year of Artaxerxes. So did the buildings take just 3 years to complete or 58 years to complete? Where is an honest archaeologist when you need one?
So what is going on? Simple: An ancient conspiracy has become a modern conspiracy. That's all that is going on. And atheists have been fooled by the lies. Politics are politics. Only this is going on at the expense of the Bible. This works if you can dismiss the Bible as inaccurate history, like atheists love to do. But do the Bible writers deserve that reputation when they are telling the truth and actually have archaeological proof at Persepolis? No. The only reason this works is because of lying, dishonest archaeologists. Archaeologists that don't want atheists to look at Persepolis. But do atheists even care? Are they smart enough (or honest enough), as they claim, to figure this all out? This is the modern age; we can handle the truth!
CHALLENGE TO ATHEISTS: WHAT ABOUT THE PERSEPOLIS COVER-UP AND PROOF OF BIBLICAL ACCURACY? PLEASE COME FORWARD WITH YOUR EXCUSES!!
Stop your bely aching and get on with your life. The commute thing is really stupid and a big waste of time. I would work the night shift so I could avoid traffic My commute was 10 minutes each way because the heavy traffic was going the OTHER way. I wouldn't even consider do what you do no matter how good the pay was Get a hobby Get a motorcycle and ride across the US I did this many times and got to see the entire country The only advise is don't cross the desert in the daytime on a motorcycle Only do that at night I learned that one the hard way
One word: Baby. 👶