Hit exactly 100 people in my 'cult recovery' support group this month and it hit me hard

I started tracking how many people I've talked to since leaving that group in Eugene back in 2018, and seeing that number go up to triple digits made me realize how many of us are still quietly trying to figure out normal life after years of obedience training, anyone else keep a count or just me?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_holly2d ago

Holy crap, 100 people? That's a lot. I've been out of my group for about six years now and I think I've only talked to maybe 15 or 20 others who left. Can't believe you've connected with that many, that's both amazing and terrifying at the same time.

the_viola2d ago

Starts making me think about how we're all walking around carrying this invisible history with us, you know? Like you see someone at the grocery store or on the bus and you have no clue they spent years in a group that told them what to wear or who to talk to. It's weird how much of our lives are just hidden from everyone around us, even the people we see every day. I think that's why forums like this feel so important, because suddenly you find out there's a whole bunch of other people who get it. Makes you wonder how many other secrets people are just keeping to themselves.

wesleyflores2d ago

Man, 100 people is a lot of baggage to keep track of. @the_holly you're right, it's kind of wild. In my experience, finding even one person who gets it feels like hitting the lottery, so I can't imagine having a hundred conversations like that. Makes me wonder how many more folks are just out there, walking around with their own stories, waiting for someone to ask the right question.