Growing up in a high-control, high-demand religion was an experience filled with numerous expectations and restrictions. It was like being in a cage, only to realize much later that the door was never locked. I could open it at any time. My identity was shaped by a long list of things I could not do and rules to follow. Critical thinking was discouraged, and expressing an opinion was nearly impossible. 

This indoctrination slowly chipped away at my self-esteem and confidence.

Imagine being cast out at sea after years confined at the bottom of a ship, then suddenly asked why you’re struggling to stay afloat. That’s how it felt outside of the bubble. So much emphasis was placed on the end times and the afterlife, but now I choose to be present, to appreciate this life I’m living truly. Finding the courage to begin deconstructing all I’d been taught despite fear and indoctrination was a pivotal point in my journey.