My Life After The Watchtower - ExJW Story 

I just came across your channel and wanted to say hello. I too was a Jehovah's Witness for most of my life. I became inactive about 11 years ago. I am just a little bit older than you, 49. I really like your positivity. I feel the same way. I don't want to hate anyone, I just want to be happy. The last decade has been a struggle. There is a lot of, "feeling like an island" because the way that you've lived your life as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is so foreign to other people. I often have to stop and think, " Now are these my true thoughts and feelings or what I have been trained to think and feel?" As more time passes, it does get easier. And your exactly right, there are so many kind people in the world. I remember how the Witnesses would brag about the brotherhood and that there was nothing else like it. How you could go anywhere in the world and have friends. Well, I have experienced that being out of "the truth" as well. I have traveled halfway across the world and experienced extreme kindness from total strangers, some that didn't even speak the same language. I think love begets love. It's not confined to a certain religion. Thank you for sharing your stories and positivity. I really enjoy them!

I became a JW at the worst possible time in my life at 16 years of age, and I never pursued higher education. After I left in 2004, I struggled with a lot of resentment towards that. But I finally took charge of my own destiny, began pursuing a better education as far as my personal circumstances would allow, and it has let me to a good career in emergency services, which is something that I would never have experienced prior to leaving. Dating and relationships as been a whole other matter. But your expression about "knowing what I want" resonates very deeply with me. I tried to the on-line dating too back when it was considered taboo. I met some really interesting people too, but there were some that were of questionable intent. I've had one really good relationship in the last 14 years, but I continue on cautiously, no settling, knowing what I want, and need in a relationship. I'm happy that you have someone that you click with and inspires you. As always, good to hear from you in these videos...and I like your dog even when he pants and sniffs. I lost my 17 year old Jack Russell terrier back in March. I'm almost ready to find a new best friend.

One the first things I did when I left was make friends that I never could have being raised a witness. Growing up I missed out on so many friendships that probably would’ve shaped me different than I am now.

I met my husband 16 years ago. We are both ExJWs. We were slowly leaving the religion when we met each other. It was easy for me to leave then him. My mom and I were slowly leaving the religion. For him his brother and little sister was not going no more. A few months of dating his mom and dad stopped going too. His dad was a elder for years. My husband and his brother and sisters was born in the religion. His older sister and uncles, aunts, cousins are still JWs. It is hard for him but I’m here for him. One of his cousin got disfellowshipped a few years ago. So he is so happy to have his cousin back in his life. We have two kids and we are not raising them in any religion. We are celebrating holidays and enjoying our lives with our kids. I’m so happy for you!

Its commendable and liberating that you do not harbor any antipathy toward the JW's and that after a decade you have finally found your level in life. Your Witness inculcation runs deep, and your need for validation seems to be a reoccurring theme to your valuable contributions on RU-vid. Congratulations on finding true love via dating Apps. Here in Britain this means of introduction often proves to be more trouble than its worth; as the Internet can be festooned with chancers and other characters of dubious motives. From a purely psychiatric perspective you are a fascinating case study. Outwardly, you have every reason to be incensed given your harrowing experiences. Conversely , you appear to proactively look for ways to subtly make excuses for the Witnesses in general. Your generosity and magnanimity leads me to the inescapable conclusion that you have not given yourself completely over to the dark side. Regards from the UK.

It is very refreshing to listen to someone who still has a balanced outlook on life after leaving the JW's. I now practice meditation daily as I find it really helps me cope with my severe anxiety over the last few months, particularly after only recently leaving the organisation. Hugs to you and Rio x

Thanks for sharing your story. My wife and I left almost two years ago and appreciate it when people give encouragement and hope to others they can make it outside, not easy but possible. 😊

I really enjoyed your story...and I love Rio! You seem such a genuine, intelligent and caring person and you deserve all the good things in life. Hope it just keeps getting better for you! :)

You are so very fortunate and you deserve all the good things that happened to you in your life. It’s the simple things that make freedom so wonderful. To read what you want to read to think what you want to think to choose your friends and not have them chosen for you, and to live life to its fullest in the way that you think best and not have anybody tell you how to live your life. Freedom is truly a wonderful thing!

This is so beautiful 💕 I completely agree and resonate with your perspective on love and let live but appreciate what life offers when it “shakes you up”! We all have stories that are a little bit different leaving the WT I believe we all have the same amazing opportunity to truly know ourselves and live life to the fullest. It’s what we all deeply want most, that freedom and power to live as we are from our core, but it requires a massive mental and emotional shift in order to be open to seeing the world as a friend and not an enemy. The universe is so abundant in delivering the richest experiences to both supply us and stretch us and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Cheers to everyone no matter where they are on there path! But also don’t forget that life is completely available to you to live your best, richest experience and there are awesome examples like right here of people that are proof of that! So much love and thank you for sharing this video!! Super nice to have come across your channel!😊🙌💪🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️💗🍻🥳

You are happy because you are in love...."Life without love is no life at all." - Leonardo Da Vinci

Thanks for your perspective. I can relate to so much of what you have been through and are going through. Thanks!

You are such a courageous and beautiful person. You most definitely deserve good things to happen to you. One thing both the Bible Students and JWs are good at is making one feel they are not worthy of having good things happen to them. I still struggle in accepting any praise or good events that happen to me. It’s criminal how they can make us feel so badly about ourselves. But the good news is we are FREE!

I agree with your views. I enjoy Pagan religions like Wicca because I find them interesting but I love not having all the answers and love exploring. Blessed be to you on your journey❤️

Love the dog!! Very therapeutic and engaging! I'm starting to pick up the pieces toward rebuilding at 46 y.o. now after awakening in 2017 after 25 years a watchtower slave. I went through similar traumas - a divorce finalized in 2013 after 14 years of marriage to a JW, false allegations of cheating leveled against me before that, financial destruction with foreclosure & bankruptcy, paying out maintenance/alimony for four years after the divorce, massive family attorney fees despite having no children, just to settle the alimony. More recently I had a job loss in a career I thought was permanent, necessitating my stopping the alimony and my 88-y.o. Father's deterioration battling dementia, parkinsonian and Alzheimer's disease to the point of needing to recently be put in 24/7 care nursing home since I'm an only child and have to go back to work as I cannot just "retire" or go on govt aid at 46, nor do I want to. I don't know right now whether I'm walking through an endless tunnel of bad or a bottomless dense pit of darkness as I may have to fight to keep the home & car I have from being taken by the nursing home my Dad had to be put into. It makes things appear quite hopeless and I've definitely contemplated suicide with such a depressing life. Here recognizing in waking up I lost and gave up the prime of my life from 20-y.o. to 45-y.o. to a cult. But at least I woke up fully to TTATT now over the last 14 months. All I can do is struggle forward. Get back to the gym and workout a couple times a day. Get a couple jobs and/or build an online internet income to start rebuilding for my retirement. Set new goals. Maybe go back to college. I've got a lot a soul-searching and decision making to do. Recently I've just practically crawled into a shell despite going on job interviews. I have a lot to get together. The JW Elders will at some point be hassling and harassing me to "come back and return to Jehovah" again after my fading and already telling them multiple times my issues with the covered up child abuse in JW with their internal database and own "apostate" library. All I/we can do is carry on productively and try to derive enjoyment out of life wherever possible. My uninitiated divorce was also constituted as an "UnScriptural" divorce so I'm not "suppose" to date or marry again. I haven't and won't date or marry really because I don't want to get taken advantage of again financially or otherwise and refuse to put myself back into a vulnerable, susceptible position ever again to get slanderously lied about getting maliciously accused of cheating when I prove & demonstrate my loyalty and instead continue to have my character assassinated in perpetuity. It may be lonely at times but it's a LOT worse being emotionally involved in a relationship with someone whose breached trust and destructively backstabbed in numerous ways. Trust starts at a zero level and if it ever builds it's solely from that point after all of this. Wishing you continued success and happiness on your journey! Best, Dave in Wisconsin

thanks for your video. I was married for nearly 13 years and have been divorced for nearly 20 years now. still find dating impossible..I appreciate your positive outlook. gives me a little hope

You have handled things well. You are making wise decisions. Glad to see other people surviving the trauma of being a witness. It’s a lot to deal with. Look forward to seeing more of your posts.

So what are you doing with your life now ( not gossip in mind! )🌞

Rio is adorable, I love when he’s in the video. 💙 When you talk about real friends it really impacts me. I am at present PIMO solely because of my elderly mom. I’ve been in this organization for about 55 years. And even while active in the Org. My true ride or die friends we’re always people outside of the witnesses. Everything within the organization is conditional. I had some lovely people as my friends that I’ve had a lot of fun with over the years but I know if they knew how I felt right now they wouldn’t look at me again. But I am truly comforted by the fact that my true friends Who were never witnesses loved me before, and will always love me, and will always be there for me. And they know I will always be there for them. We were taught a lot of lies in this religion. I’m really enjoying your content,thank you so much.💗

I'm from Brazil. I am still JW. I loved your video. Stay happy, stay learning.

Just participated in a move on rally for the children who were separated from their families by President Trump in America- doing something meaningful, however my life was tailored by JW org so it is very difficult….

I agree that many witnesses are very good people and I care about them, but as long as they are living under the rulership of the WT, they turn their love on and off. That is not friendship, right?

❤❤Nice to see you! Love your story. And you'll be loved because you love your photo bomber dog, you have a good heart & your good friend. ❤

Well done, you look so much in peace! I trust you will enjoy the freedom as the chain has been broken. Just subbed to you

I can't get enough of that beautiful green luscious background! Such gorgeous ferns!

Very insightful...thank you.

Here here !!

great video, I always enjoy people's stories of how they evolved in their past jw lives. by the way, who is that man in the dark trench coat behind you in the woods that was looking at you the whole time? do you know him?

You are radiating happiness, leaving this twisted cult has been good for you. True love from a parent doesn’t include mental coercion picking a dying cult over a beautiful daughter. True love from a husband doesn’t include cheating and abuse. I hope you find a great guy, who treats you like a partner not a slave**. Have a bunch of kids, they’ll be gorgeous. Did you vote in the recent election? Happy Canada Day. If you ever get into reading about the mythical flood, I’ve written a pretty extensive paper on the topic, I’d be happy to send you the Word file for your perusal. **Whoops, I’m happy you did find your guy, that’s wonderful.

I'm glad you found love happiness and peace. You look like you're free. You're pup is adorable! I love the way he photo bombs you. 😂

A strong enlightened lady you are ,,, thank you ,,,,,

You did good. Bugs, aeroplane, panting dog. When we were in we got fed bullshit and when we get out we have to get rid of all the crap. It takes time.

"having joy and peace" - turning around trying to find the source of the noise in the background forest that is scaring her. LOL

I must say there's a True God. he's not at watchtower. Gov body is put in Jesus place this is wrong also gov body are false prophets

I'm out of the Jehovahs Witness for 2 months and agree that the shunning is cruel and can be painful. But let's be honest, it's healthy to cut ourselves off from all the JW's and live ones own new life...

It amazes me that they think going back to meetings and conventions will magically make everything better .

Can I ask why Jehovah Witnesses don’t celebrate holidays and say the only holiday that is celebrated is the annual convention. I recently stopped being a JW person but they people keep trying to get me back as I find that there’s way too many rules!

I went to therapy but just have not found the right therapist and it seems that I'm doing all the talking and there is no real feedback. So, I have been trying to keep busy but I do need to get over my issues and try to make some new friends.

Make these words part of your life .......... what lies behind me - referring to my past. What lies before me - referring to my future are only tiny matters compared to what lies within me.

I am a ex jw. I love your videos. If you have nothing nice to say or post keep it to yourself.

Well done.

That's what my PaPa said, " Going to Hell in a hand basket. If he seen today, he would really think that." I thought about going back because i miss the friends. But, If i go back to be around the friends i have to keep my mouth shut. because i don't trust the GB. I don't agree with 1914. Watchtower's two witness rule and can't charge anyone because of no proof. so pedophiles can exist.I would be miserable if i went back because i would have to watch everything i say. I can't live like that again. Sorry, friends

You have found paradise :)

It's so sad that a woman like you was stuck in that basic, bland, simple life. I was in from birth to adulthood so I know the extent of how much they suppress who you really are. I'm very happy for you. And thanks for the videos! They're therapeutic for all of us.

Great life story.

Let me ask you something, since people who were raised JWs and those who were not were raised with completely different value systems, how can the two ever genuinely connect? And if so, how? Because I sure have never found it. One thing I have definitely learned is that you can't trust anyone with your secrets. Most people just simply ask about your life, not cuz they're genuinely curious, but because they're looking for gossip.

BEROEAN.ORG - Excellent advice. I appreciate your story, and resilient nature. I think all of us ex-JW's learn to be resilient after a long walk in the organ. "Remaking a life," can indeed be difficult. Thanks for sharing . . . and may peace be your portion!!

Welcome to your freedom!😀

Congratulations!

There is life after Watchtower. I have never been more spiritual. I look for a good bible -base faith; " No High Control Group" I been liberated- no more spiritual abuse. My connection to God has never been closer.

Nice story.

Respect is to be earned and hatred does not help but there are evil manipulative heads of the org. Do not be taken again by thinking all are wonderful. I love john cedars channel. He exposes he is an activist with no hate.

Please bring your dog again.I love him. By the way witnesses are not true friends. Enjoyed your video and look forward to the next. God bless you.

Life events that shorten your life. Not in order: Divorce, moving, fired from a job, death of a loved one... 65 years and counting.

Testing the super thanks.

It's the hateful so each about them and us that led me to wake up myself. If someone is going to judge Jehovah's Wittnesses as judgmental and they are....., then they better look at their own religious beliefs or non- religious thinking and ask themselves, all of us, in what ways do I Jude others. Have I had the same life experiences they have had. Do I know what life looked like from their point of view. I recently heated about something called epistemology which helps us respectfully and objectively talk to others about what they believe to be true and why. If the world is ever going to rid itself of hypocritical attacks then we are going to have to stop quick judging.

6/25/19 where have you been? wanted to say hello again. hope all is good with you (the dog too lol)bill

Anyways anyways anyways anyways!!

Adoption is a beautiful thing if what you feel called to do but I wouldn't dismiss having children if that is God's will as well. AND, it can be both and not either, or. So too is that beautiful. Two thumbs up. Most confusing is this since you mentioned it : The Watchtower builds a new headquarters, yet if Armageddon is right around the corner, again, why do so? How has the WT reconciled the two with its members? I haven't heard this explanation. Note on yoga, yoga can be taken too far. This eastern teaching yogi masters of clearing the mind stage is not compatible with Christianity as our mind always needs to ascend to our creator. (note here too: those apostles who followed Jesus and testified to his life, death and resurrection, all professed him to be God incarnate. Judas aside, 10 died as martyrs for this belief and 1, St John, died in exile for this belief. They all taught their descendants the same, and the descendants taught theirs)

Where did you go? Haven't seen any new videos from you for awhile. At least let us know you're OK.

Nobody knows the pain this cult causes until you live it.

Know that there are MANY XJWs now on twitter. Look for XJW in profiles. This is just something people choose or not...to put in their profiles so other XJWs can find them. KDRogersMD on twitter

I am in Toronto too! Let me know if you want to exchange emails

Absolutely! Everything is better since I woke up from the Doomsday cult and have left religion behind. Every day if better than the last and I finally love life.

No-one clears their mind, literally. Do you mean getting calm and peaceful?

It's truly hard to believe you're 47!

Are you able to say how the heck your sisters left the Borg ?

What a shame that so many who leave a cult ,also turn their back on God and never search for the truth.

Most important thing after leaving the JW's is being true to yourself. Leave everything else to Jesus. His love is true.

Great video, panting dog and bugs and plane and all lol

I know it's a dumb comment, but we're all thinking it. Your husband is a dumb ass for cheating on you......your a sweetheart! His loss.

I find it funny that the governing body member said (under oath), that if one chooses to leave the religion, they are not shunned. It is their decision. I’m here to tell you that is the biggest damn lie! I no longer have my friends because I choose not to attend meetings and I don’t agree with a lot of teachings! Their love is most definitely conditional!!!!

Please excuse the spelling. Spell check thinks it knows what I'm trying to say. 😣 so irritating. 😊

U look cute

Tell your dog to start his own channel. Justin porter ex jw

Toronto! Head north to Temagami and there you can find paradise before Armageddon.

Your really pretty, not sure why your husband cheated on you.

You are so beautiful inside and outside I hope your life is iworking out for you it is so hard when you have no family and friends to lean on. I love the way the JW cult plans your whole life? Exactly it is all bullshit ? What really bothers me is the shuning but that is mind control ?

You are very much in shock you need to get some help. Then from a legal perspective if you talk about Watch Tower you need to put up a copyright notice of fair sharing content.

Love is essential for salvation not this or that religion.

Apostates make the best husbands. Justin porter ex jw

Jehovah Witnesses screw with your hard drive you find errors on your hard drive , alot of JWs are human doings not human beings. At least you have time to process imformation.

Im dating a jahova witness woman, she wants to marry me , do you think she wants to leave the jw ? her mom already started to bug her. What do you think?

hi most lovely Knowledge is a light which God casteth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth.” It is this kind of knowledge which is and hath ever been praiseworthy, and not the limited knowledge that hath sprung forth from veiled and obscured minds. This limited knowledge they even stealthily borrow one from the other, and vainly pride themselves therein! Would that the hearts of men could be cleansed from these manmade limitations and obscure thoughts imposed upon them! haply they may be illumined by the light of the Sun of true knowledge, and comprehend the mysteries of divine wisdom.

I don’t understand how your parents and grandparents can still be JWs. With all the doctrinal changes that continues to go on is ridiculous. I was one for 26 years. There is a God and He does have a Son named Jesus. I hope one day you find him. He is nothing like we learned from the JW religion. 😊

JEHOVAH is Real🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🤗

Many failed prophecies

GOD spelled backwards is DOG . DOG s R loyal Human s best friend . Our Heavenly Father gave us animals.