“Our strategy should be not only to confront the empire, but to lay siege to it . . . With our art, our music, our literature, our stubbornness, our joy, our brilliance, our sheer relentlessness — and our ability to tell our own stories. Stories that are different from the ones we’re being brainwashed to believe.”
Your story is a heroic journey!
Engaging in the creative expression of challenging life experiences supports individuals in their transition from passive victims to active witnesses. By speaking out, we give controlling, repressive, tyrannical people and systems less room to do harm.
Creating a personal #IGotOut statement will help convert shame, trauma, and self-condemnation of cultic involvement into acceptance and understanding, while providing proof to those still in, that leading a healthy, purposeful life beyond the grip of a controlling group, is indeed, possible.
If you got out of a controlling group of any kind, the world needs to hear your story…because you never know who needs your light, your warmth, and raging courage.
Composing an #IGotOut statement can be fun. Finding one’s voice is empowering, uplifting, and can be life-changing. Creativity allows us to access the vast palette of who we are and who we are becoming.
Before sharing your story, please consider if there might be potential negative consequences.
“Cults can hide in many places. They are so adept at blending into society and masking their true colors that often their victims do not realize that they were even in a cult until they have escaped it. Nor do they fully comprehend the severity of the brainwashing that they were subjected to, until they are finally free of it. ”
Create Your Personal #IGotOut Narrative
We invite you to create a statement or video - however you wish to, and share it on whichever social media platforms you use, with the hashtag: #IGotOut.
The hashtag is owned by no one and unifies our many voices into one resounding celebration of resilience.
Your personal #IGotOut statement can be a few sentences or a long essay. It can be a 30-second video or slides of your visual art. You decide…because it’s your life now!
Before sharing your story…
Please consider if there are potential negative consequences. Is there potential harm to yourself, your loved ones, and/or your career?
If so, do you have the emotional stability, and the social and financial support to handle any backlash that may come from sharing your statement?
If an anonymous statement would be best for you, see resources below.
“Powerful neurological integration occurs when one is able to create a coherent narrative out of confusing, traumatic, or coercive experiences.”
#iGotOut
Owned by no one…and for
everyone who has a story to tell.
Helpful tips…if you are not sure where to start:
Decide for yourself how much or how little you want to share about the specifics.
Open your phone video app and record yourself saying, “I got out of (fill in the blank) when I (fill in the blank) and now I (please elaborate as much as you want – the good, the bad, the challenges, and the joys).
Pick up a pen and paper or open a Word document on your computer and try the same thing above, in writing.
Reach out to someone you know who supports your decision to get out and talk with them, practice your statement with them.
Write or record your responses to the following questions:
— What has it been like for you to be out? Can you describe your path toward healing?
— Now that the group or leader’s objectives are not the focus of your life, what new things have you done and what are you planning for your future?
— What do you want to say to anyone still “in” who is considering getting out?
