A woman who left the Jehovah’s Witness faith has shared an emotional account of how the decision reshaped her life, saying the religion cost her what she describes as her youth and sense of self.

The woman, identified on TikTok as @charlotte, said her years in the faith left her feeling disconnected and trapped, noting that she never truly felt a sense of belonging. She added that growing up with an abusive father who was also an elder within the church made her experience even more difficult.

According to her, the environment limited her ability to express herself, pursue her dreams, or live authentically, deepening her desire to leave but leaving her unsure how to escape.

In a now-viral video, she said leaving the faith marked the beginning of personal freedom and genuine happiness.

“Even when I was smiling, I never felt like I belonged,” she wrote. “I always felt it wasn’t ‘the truth,’ but I didn’t know how to escape. Having an abusive elder father made it worse. All I wanted was to feel normal. I wasn’t allowed to be myself or follow any of my dreams.”

Her story has triggered mixed reactions online, with some users criticizing the growing trend of former members speaking out, others defending the faith, and some reacting with humor, while many expressed support for her journey.


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