I look at time in the Family as sort of a "Nightmare on Elm St." in "Pleasantville" amd getting out it took years for me to realize what my preferences in life were. Whether religion, clothes, music, dress style, hairstyle, you name it.
For awhile I lived in black and white but my world started turning to color as I found out what rang my bell nad made me say "this fits for me" without a need for any group to put a stamp of approval on it.
I realize too that my preferences change over time and I can keep choosing to redefine who I am.
I am sure others experienced some hard times after getting out, finding what their own personal preferences were. I had to choose what name to go by. My "bible name" didn't fit me any more and I divorced it as soon as I got out. But my birth name felt foreign too. I used it in its entirety which is not what I even went by with friends in school and that name stuck for a long time. Then I used a short version (which I am posting with now) and that felt right.
This is the name my friends know me by.
I love a wide variety of music from Aaron Neville to Tori Amos to Nigel Kennedy and Keith Urban and Big and Rich.
For a long time I loved dark colors in clothes and was most comfortable in jeans. Now I like autumn colors and variety more.
I love animals and enjoy rescue work with wee critters.
I STILL won't get into politics..lol.
But I do have my opinions there too.
What do you like now that you are YOU and not a part of the cult?
Oh, regarding religion, I am agnostic I guess. I believe there is something after life but just have no clue what.