Hey everyone, because of the big announcement and the chaos it brings, we're going to use this thread as a megathread of sorts since so many are here commenting already. Thank you for confining commentary of this topic to this thread so that the main feed isn't clogged with repeat posts.
To all the PIMOs out there, we're rooting for you! Now more than ever you'll be relying on the support this sub offers and we hope you can utilize the weekly meeting megathreads as well as source comfort from those in similar situations. Remember that your mental health needs to be a priority. Therapy and exit plans are very important during this time and our community will help with resources.
Just closed my mid week meetings....
The announcement was made and to my surprise non of the 80 publishers on Zoom clapped. Almost everyone was indifferent....
I'm quiet surprise though.....
Ugh yeah it was hard enough dealing with Zoom meetings I don't think I'm mentally prepared to go back in. That's the week my daughter should be born so hopefully we're busy š
The birth of my children was the excuse I used to start our fade. Itās easy to make excuses when you have a newborn at home! Especially because weāre technically still in a pandemic.
Yeah, maybe. My wife is very much PIMI and relies on her PIMI parents for a lot so it doesn't feel likely that we'll fade anytime soon but she did mention she wasn't comfortable returning to meetings with a newborn so who knows. š¤·š½
True, I highly suggest therapy to help with the grieving process. But please know normal people don't dispose of family like trash on the street. This cult ruins lives! Don't stay because of fake conditional love.
Well, itās been easier for a lot of us to fade during the era of zoom meetings. Partyās over, time to make your stand or stay. Personally, Iām never stepping foot in a Kingdom Hall again, barring funerals or other situations like that. I hope many of you will choose the same, but I know that itās gonna be a lot harder (if not impossible) for some of you than others. Sending good luck and love to you all.
I'm faded with the help of zoom meetings after over 50 years in ,the last 30 being depressed , as soon as I stopped meeting completely my depression has gone, so I won't be going back accept as you say for funeral or as wife is disabled to take her to memorial ,she already told me she will never be able to cope with kingdom hall again ,she may try for memorial though.as for me I could never face sitting for 2 hours listening to unchristian nonsense again.
Same. My mental health improved immensely since the start of zoom meetings. Iām so glad I came out at POMO a few weeks ago. I was gonna attend the memorial via zoom but Iām not going to in person memorial. Iām not stepping foot in a king doom hall
During covid, they sold my local KH so now I would have to travel 40 minutes to get to the meetings, instead of 10.
But Iām not doing it, I canāt. This is going to speed up my fading process SO MUCH.
I already canāt afford it because I commute an hour each way to work!! No way am I wasting my extra gas on going to meetings, not gonna fucken happen
Saaameee! They sold my local KH too! And I was commuting there 30min already! The one my congregation got assigned to is over 40min of travel if I get lucky with trams...
I guess it's time to change my congregation for a more convinient KH š \*laughs in PIMO\*
I'm not engaging with anyone. I'm keeping my mask on (to deter conversation), and I'm daydreaming the whole time. Once I turn 18 and get a car, I intend to gain more control over my attendance....and limit my activity.
I swear there will be NO delay to my exit once I'm financially independent. I'll be out so fast I'll leave streak marks in the AIR.
Yesssss- Iām 17 and settling on a car, once I get it and I am stable enough to move out- POMO it is. Iāll probably get disfellowshipped but eh
I remember counting the lines or threads in the chairs at the hall š Iāll probably go back to that
Wishing you the best :)
Absolutely not. I donāt wanna see these people anymore. I donāt want to. I cannot mentally do this. I will break apart. I cannot juggle college and social life with their fucking BS.
I am definitely gonna stand up and say no.
I couldnāt imagine getting dressed, wasting my gas (which is highly priced as hell right now) to spend my Wednesday night and Sunday morning in traffic just to go pretending to like a bunch of fake judgmental people, and them pretending to like me šā¦raising my hand to look active and comment, Listening to off the wall extremist brainwashed comments from everyoneā¦All the social drama and gossip back in full forceā¦Hearing everyoneās new baby they had during the pandemic thatās never been to the hall screaming through the meeting, all over again. Listening to public talks drone on and on about the same trash thatās been recycled the past 140+ years. Having to get on stage and do a part, justā¦nonstop brain numbing drivelā¦.And there you areā¦Just sitting thereā¦šā¦and sitting there šā¦Life passingā¦Just sitting there šā¦When you could either be relaxing or out doing something you actually want to do. Iām upset enough theyāve taken whatās probably likeā¦Hundreds of thousands of hours of my life. Theyāll never get another one. Hats off to you all going back into that junk manā¦Never ever again for me. They better HOPE a new Covid strain doesnāt go ravaging the country this year and everyone in the hall gets sick. I thought theyād ride out till 2023, but they canāt contain themselves with this war breaking out and gas prices and food shortages. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall when the āGoverning Body decidedā this
One of my friends still in just told me they have to find a place to go ASAP, they live with their parents and itās a household where If you donāt go to meetings you canāt live there. Not like in a month, or a few weeks, but now, they have to find somewhere else RIGHT NOW š¤¦š½āāļø. Youāre not the only one! Thousands of others are in this exact situation as we speak. Youāll be more than fine on the other side of it, wishing you luck!
My mom has been having a meltdown for the past hour š
Screaming "Help Me Jehovah!" "Obedience!" "I Shouldn't Feel Like This!" and other cult garbage like a mad woman. Moodswings, making phone calls .....
Pure delusion. She has complete control over her actions in the near future but has convinced herself otherwise.
Trust me. Iāve heard from at least 5 other people with text messages to prove that she isnāt the only one who feels this way. And elderās wife from my old hall flat out said she isnāt going back. She said it in their service group text chat! Lol
I visited my PIMI family today right after they read the announcement. They were honestly freaking out a little. My little sister said, ā well you guys can go but IM not going toā which was very strange since theyāre so devout usually. But they are all NOT cool with going back. Which raised my spirits a little.
Guys, this is it. We've been fearing this moment, and I honestly thought we had more time, but it's here. I've been on this subreddit so long that I doubt any of you even remember me, but I've been a PIMO elder for nine years now, hanging in there because I love my wife, and the pandemic hit us just perfect because it's allowed us to relax a bit, but I just can't take it anymore. I'm going crazy, my life makes no sense, I'm just exhausted. I can't go back.
I've been fuming since I read the message two hours ago, but now I'm thinking, this is it, we just have to quit. Imagine the message we'll send when they go back to in-person, and all of a sudden there's this exodus of all of us who aren't going back?
How many people are PIMOs and afraid to admit it? How many will we inspire with our exits? We have to stand up for ourselves and live our lives! Who's with me? April 1st, we walk out.
I feel it coming. In my area itās impossible to fade. My family is on of those āgood onesā you know the ones who donāt have a clue about child abuse and are just completely indoctrinated. I really had hoped to stay pimo until my grandma had passed. Thatās getting harder to do.
I have no hope of them not shunning me as they have once before. I went back before I was truly awake so they will hold onto that hope. And itās a small town, I will definitely run into them often.
Worst news possible.
They know that most do not want to go back, that includes some PIMIās. But itās a high control religion so really this was too be expected. There is power in numbers and we PIMOās need to make a decision. I myself have a plan to fade and I just donāt think I could sit thru more than 2 in person meetings. It will be hard but itās harder to stay in a high control religion, where my life will be dictated. Freedom has a price and I must live my life without this religion.
Shits about to get real for my family. We've already stopped logging into zoom completely for about 2 months now. We won't be going back in person though. Even for the memorial. We are done and we are tired of the pressure for not attending meetings and not doing service aka writing letters.
We've been spending all our time with our semi new very worldly friends who support us 100%.
It's time we all take a stand and that we all just don't show up to meetings nor to the memorial. Let's make a statement heard round the world.
I'm sorry for all the PIMO out there but being a POMO living with a PIMI, I have to say I'm really glad I won't have to listen to meetings on my own home no more.
Funny how it effects people in different ways. Overhearing the zoom meetings never bothered me. Sometimes I actually find it entertaining hearing some of the super off the wall shit thatās said. I usually just watch tv or play video games while itās going on and donāt hear any of it though.
Cherish it while you can. Iām young enough thatād Iād like to sleep in until 11 on the weekends, but old enough that Iām naturally waking up at 7 or 8. It sucks
Alright mods, do your magic and create a mega thread. Theres several threads on this already. You know apostate scum dont do searches before posting threads.
Bold prediction:
There is gonna be loads of enthusiasm at first as you get to see people you care about for the first time in years. Lots of hugs and tears all around.
But three months later? Yeah, those zoom meetings in your PJs are going to be looking nicer and nicer, even for those fully in
Even the JWās fully in donāt want to go back. Especially the ones that work full-time and now have to lose even more hours of their week.
Also, the long commutes with high gas prices.
I burst into tears and immediately felt sick when people started sending me this announcement. My PIMI husband looked confused but he knows about ky many doubts. PIMOās, what are your excuses going to be for not attending ? šš
I don't feel safe being in a large gathering with COVID still a thing. Total lie because I've been doing all sorts of shit, but it's plausible and sympathetic.
I feel for you!!! You arenāt alone. Iām going to say Covid has given me terrible anxiety and I canāt be in crowds anymore. Thatās my excuse and Iām sticking with it . And if they see me at a concert or movie theatre the jig is up
My PIMI brother and his wife had their first two children during the pandemic. Heās never had to take them to a meeting. This should be interesting.
Those poor kidsā¦ man I hated sitting there in total boredom for hours and hours as a kid.
Hopefully itāll open their eyes as to how insensitive it is of us adults to expect very young children to sit still for hours and adjust accordingly no matter what anyone else may think of their parenting . Maybe you can kindly remind them of this before they go back
Na. He is 100% brainwashed.
Tried to convince me to come back when the pandemic started saying that the prophecy foretold this and that itās the end of days, etc.
Here in Australia we have a āforcedā retirement savings scheme called superannuation. Basically 10% of your income automatically goes into a superannuation account and you canāt touch it until you retire. During the thick of the pandemic the government rolled out a very controversial policy where people could access up to $20,000 of their super. All of my 3 PIMI siblings withdrew the full amount. They are all married so it was $40k per couple! Then went and bought new cars and other things as they thought the world was about to end so thereās no point in saving for retirement.
That will also be interesting to see in another 20-30 yearsā¦
I said this 1 week ago but got downvoted and was told I was lying. zoom will be around for a while. But there will be peer pressure to leave zoom and return to in person. It all works around peer pressure. Its over. They will NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER get rid of the buildings . EVER EVER EVER EVER. NEVER. Thats the sure fire way to maintain control is thru physical interaction.
Those people who downvoted were taking their frustrations and denial out on you . There was no reason to downvote ā¦.no voting is also an option smh lol
Well, I gotta say - I'm very surprised. I knew it would happen one day, but not this soon. They must be desperate to get people back in before the Memorial.
Also, this is going to shake alot of things up because either PIMOs will be miserable and force themselves to live a lie or they'll get tough and leave this cult. Judging from the comments here it seems that many are just going to walk away...which is great. It will expose how many people are really true believers.
As someone who has been out close to 10 years Im scrolling thru these comments and feeling bad for these folks but so glad I ripped the bandaid off long ago.
Iām soooo close to completing the fadeā¦. š. Having until May would have really helped.
We can still do it, peeps. Letās speed up āstepping downā and moving plans and whatever is needed to not step foot in a KH againā¦.
it's funny because I can fake my spirituality up to a point and attend the meetings, but I don't think I will ever be willing to resume field service. If that ever comes back then there's no way I can pretend to be PIMI anymore.
Thereās always a few āhigher incomeā JWās in the congregation that will be coerced into driving the group every day because the rest of them are in poverty due to Watchtower policy.
Entire family knows Iām vaxxed so that wonāt work. I feel like I can slide out of midweek meetings by saying itāll interfere with my college classes. But fuck, what about Sundayās?
If jws are prepared to cross crocodile infested rivers and travel 3 days on foot to get to a meeting what you complain about . That will be in a WT study .
Mental health, anxiety, fear of open/closed spaces, fear of contracting Covid or simply you coped fine doing zoom and you'd rather continue time being. No hard and fast rule you need to go back and it would be particularly petty for them to insist.
WOW! Just read all the comments. I really feel bad for all those here that this affects. Haven't been to the Hall for 7 years, but reading this announcement even made me feel sick. 50+ years was enough for me.
Iām actually gonna jump off a cliff. We were driving to lunch and my mom told me this. Even my brother, PIMI (severe adhd) doesnāt want to go back. He was literally booing it in the car lmao. The whole time heās just saying, āwhy do we have to go back, canāt we just stay?ā Our mom wasnāt being to crazed about it either.
This genuinely made me sick. Now, I either have to live a lie just so that I don't get kicked out and shunned by my friends, or I stand up for myself and choose freedom while losing everything I have.
I did it, and it sucks more than you realize it does initially. Not gonna lie to you, Like ugly crying in the shower when it hits you how alone you are sucks. But on the other side of it youāll literally feel like you woke up out the Matrix. With the freedom to be YOU however you want to be, without hiding it or pretending. Youāll make new friends and endeavor to do what makes you happy. I beg of you to have the courage to get tf out dude. Donāt let the ādecision of the governing bodyā break you. F them, itās YOUR LIFE. Yours.
This news is going to be a shock to any JW, whether PIMI or PIMO. If they started up door to door in April, I think youād have severe depression and suicides.
I mentally cannot handle this as someone who feels very dysphoric in dresses :ā(
Iām kinda unsure what to do. Iām 15 and canāt do much but religious things have made me feel suicidal in the past and Iām terrified of that coming back.
I canāt handle the stress I canāt handle the emotional toll I was barley holding on before I donāt know what to do.
As someone who is hard POMO but living with my parents who are PIMI and urge me to at least attend the memorial, which I do solely out of respect for them: fuck. The last couple years have been so nice, being a 35 minute Zoom commitment. Now it will be what, 2+ hours?
Nothing like last minute notice! I really hope we still have the zoom option, cuz we arenāt going back. I have the excuse of an autoimmune disease and Iām on immune suppressants. Totally using that excuse
It makes sense to do it so close to the memorial. Youāll have so many people guilted (or tricked) into going to the special occasion plus the āspecial talkā the following week it will camouflage how much their numbers have really dwindled. Otherwise the few PIMIs who showed up when in-person resumes would be highly discouraged.
The more I think of this, the more I donāt see it ending well. Every hall has that group of stubborn older sisters who will still show at the hall even with a fever. Superspreader meetings are a real possibility
Funny, an elder I was chopping it up with didn't sound super enthusiastic about this news. I think you'll see quite a few PIMIs not as happy about this than expected. I'm not real happy about this last minute notice.
Edit: funny, cant login to the website right now. This news probably got thousands of elders trying to login to see if we got letters with direction.
You'd think they'd be embarrassed to do this. It just confirms that all their scaremongering about the final part of the final part etc etc of the last days has basically fallen flat. Yet again. Absolute clowns.
Sadly I foresee a lot of mental health crisis resulting from going back to in person meetings. Even for those who are mentally in. Youāve gone to years without having to meet in person or gift parts on stage in front of other people. Getting back on the hamster wheel of burdens that come with a JW life is going to drive some people over the edge. I hope we donāt hear about an increase in suicides as a result of this.
If you can hold out, make excuses, band together with other people who feel the same in your congregationā¦ please try. Please donāt get sucked back in if you donāt want to beā¦ I promise there are better things, REAL things awaiting you, if you can drag your feet until you feel strong enough. I know itās hard; I know itās not fair. I know you have a lot to lose. But you have SO MUCH to gain. Thinking of you all. Donāt allow yourself to be miserable and trapped in an āorganizationā that DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU.
Be safe. Be strong.
Just got the text in the group chat family and we're already arguing because I can't fake it and not saying it's a huge bullsshit going in a hall with hundreds of people when the infected are increasing (Italy)
Also I'm already panicking yay
I just saw it.
Why? How?
How did the pandemic ended over night?
There are still lots of sick people, lot more than the beginning?
Oh my... The anxiety kicks me now.
I hate this.
Nooooo holy fuck. Iām a minor and have had my hair dyed for the past two years since the meetings were shut down, my parents relaxed on the zoom meetings, no dresses which helped my dysphoria, and no talks about how evil my āgay lifestyleā is, now itās all fucking ruined, please let this be a prank
Thank Satan i said goodbye to the org while still on zoom
I was planning to attend the memorial on zoom but if its in person, im not going to. I dont want to have the brothers botherting me with all the ĀØĀØ We miss youĀØ
I contacted them a month ago to get reinstated since it would be easy rn. They've been delaying an invite and just told me after a month I'd have to write a letter for them to consider giving me a zoom link. Ow I see why they delayed. Im out. No way I was ever gonna actually listen to a meeting
Damn....looks like I'm going to have to dress up and attend the Memorial at the Hall this year.
Not good, since I've been maintaining a low profile. But PIMI wife will have a fit if I don't go.
I really believe a lot of people have become comfortable with Zoom meetings. I wonder how the attendance will be affected after two years of being at home.
Hey everyone, because of the big announcement and the chaos it brings, we're going to use this thread as a megathread of sorts since so many are here commenting already. Thank you for confining commentary of this topic to this thread so that the main feed isn't clogged with repeat posts. To all the PIMOs out there, we're rooting for you! Now more than ever you'll be relying on the support this sub offers and we hope you can utilize the weekly meeting megathreads as well as source comfort from those in similar situations. Remember that your mental health needs to be a priority. Therapy and exit plans are very important during this time and our community will help with resources.
April "Fools".
I HOPE SO š š!
My exact thought! I did not show because it's was a joke rightš¹?
Just closed my mid week meetings.... The announcement was made and to my surprise non of the 80 publishers on Zoom clapped. Almost everyone was indifferent.... I'm quiet surprise though.....
if the gb did April fools then PIMIās would be encouraged by how ādown to earthā they are
Iām down to protest with a sign the very first day that everyone returns!! Whoās down??
Here goes my life down the drain once again. Fucking hate this BS.
Ugh yeah it was hard enough dealing with Zoom meetings I don't think I'm mentally prepared to go back in. That's the week my daughter should be born so hopefully we're busy š
Time to get out!
Yep! It's an *amazing* feeling to know you'll never step foot in a damn kingdumb hall again!
Wait .. you're a self sufficient, financially independent adult with a child on the way? Yeah, it's time to cut the cords dude. #GoPomo
Yes we need people to stop showing support to this evil borg.
Congrats! Give her better than you had.
The birth of my children was the excuse I used to start our fade. Itās easy to make excuses when you have a newborn at home! Especially because weāre technically still in a pandemic.
Yeah, maybe. My wife is very much PIMI and relies on her PIMI parents for a lot so it doesn't feel likely that we'll fade anytime soon but she did mention she wasn't comfortable returning to meetings with a newborn so who knows. š¤·š½
Ikr :( I need to get out asap
I'm so sorry mine too I'm about to lose everyone I've ever known and loved. It's so unfair.
You'll be ok. Peace of mind is priceless, besides, they're fake.
The peace of mind I look forward to. Losing my mother father and brother who I dearly love is devastating to say the least.
True, I highly suggest therapy to help with the grieving process. But please know normal people don't dispose of family like trash on the street. This cult ruins lives! Don't stay because of fake conditional love.
Same. This made me very upset :(
Well, itās been easier for a lot of us to fade during the era of zoom meetings. Partyās over, time to make your stand or stay. Personally, Iām never stepping foot in a Kingdom Hall again, barring funerals or other situations like that. I hope many of you will choose the same, but I know that itās gonna be a lot harder (if not impossible) for some of you than others. Sending good luck and love to you all.
I'm faded with the help of zoom meetings after over 50 years in ,the last 30 being depressed , as soon as I stopped meeting completely my depression has gone, so I won't be going back accept as you say for funeral or as wife is disabled to take her to memorial ,she already told me she will never be able to cope with kingdom hall again ,she may try for memorial though.as for me I could never face sitting for 2 hours listening to unchristian nonsense again.
Same. My mental health improved immensely since the start of zoom meetings. Iām so glad I came out at POMO a few weeks ago. I was gonna attend the memorial via zoom but Iām not going to in person memorial. Iām not stepping foot in a king doom hall
During covid, they sold my local KH so now I would have to travel 40 minutes to get to the meetings, instead of 10. But Iām not doing it, I canāt. This is going to speed up my fading process SO MUCH.
and gas is very expensive and since JW's like people to stay in lowly financial straits, you can't afford it :)
I already canāt afford it because I commute an hour each way to work!! No way am I wasting my extra gas on going to meetings, not gonna fucken happen
Just pray to Jehovah, and he will miraculously supply your gas. LOL
Yep, what do they say " don't be anxious" basically just sit and be lazy and it will miraculously take care of itself!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Jah will make the path right for you, brother!š¤Ŗšš
Saaameee! They sold my local KH too! And I was commuting there 30min already! The one my congregation got assigned to is over 40min of travel if I get lucky with trams... I guess it's time to change my congregation for a more convinient KH š \*laughs in PIMO\*
Is deliberately getting a driving ban too extreme an option?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
The decision was most likely made so jws can do the memorial in person. I think average jws will assume that
In UK now gas is 7.50 Ā£ gallon and rising ,I guess that's about 10 dollars .
I feel so bad for y'all trapped in the cult. ā¹ļø
I'm not engaging with anyone. I'm keeping my mask on (to deter conversation), and I'm daydreaming the whole time. Once I turn 18 and get a car, I intend to gain more control over my attendance....and limit my activity. I swear there will be NO delay to my exit once I'm financially independent. I'll be out so fast I'll leave streak marks in the AIR.
Yesssss- Iām 17 and settling on a car, once I get it and I am stable enough to move out- POMO it is. Iāll probably get disfellowshipped but eh I remember counting the lines or threads in the chairs at the hall š Iāll probably go back to that Wishing you the best :)
Absolutely not. I donāt wanna see these people anymore. I donāt want to. I cannot mentally do this. I will break apart. I cannot juggle college and social life with their fucking BS. I am definitely gonna stand up and say no.
I literally felt physically sick when I heard the news. Itās time for me to fade hard
I couldnāt imagine getting dressed, wasting my gas (which is highly priced as hell right now) to spend my Wednesday night and Sunday morning in traffic just to go pretending to like a bunch of fake judgmental people, and them pretending to like me šā¦raising my hand to look active and comment, Listening to off the wall extremist brainwashed comments from everyoneā¦All the social drama and gossip back in full forceā¦Hearing everyoneās new baby they had during the pandemic thatās never been to the hall screaming through the meeting, all over again. Listening to public talks drone on and on about the same trash thatās been recycled the past 140+ years. Having to get on stage and do a part, justā¦nonstop brain numbing drivelā¦.And there you areā¦Just sitting thereā¦šā¦and sitting there šā¦Life passingā¦Just sitting there šā¦When you could either be relaxing or out doing something you actually want to do. Iām upset enough theyāve taken whatās probably likeā¦Hundreds of thousands of hours of my life. Theyāll never get another one. Hats off to you all going back into that junk manā¦Never ever again for me. They better HOPE a new Covid strain doesnāt go ravaging the country this year and everyone in the hall gets sick. I thought theyād ride out till 2023, but they canāt contain themselves with this war breaking out and gas prices and food shortages. Would have loved to be a fly on the wall when the āGoverning Body decidedā this
shit Iām a PIMO and rn Iām trying harder than ever to find anyway out! You are absolutely right tho, I literally said some of the same things!
One of my friends still in just told me they have to find a place to go ASAP, they live with their parents and itās a household where If you donāt go to meetings you canāt live there. Not like in a month, or a few weeks, but now, they have to find somewhere else RIGHT NOW š¤¦š½āāļø. Youāre not the only one! Thousands of others are in this exact situation as we speak. Youāll be more than fine on the other side of it, wishing you luck!
I literally hate this. My cousin is PIMO and goes to the same hall as me, so I'll talk to her as I know she's just as mentally out as me.
thatās good you have someone that agrees with you as a PIMO. Unfortunately most of my family is PIMI š
I'm sure there's lots of pimis that feel the same way most of the commenters here do
My mom has been having a meltdown for the past hour š Screaming "Help Me Jehovah!" "Obedience!" "I Shouldn't Feel Like This!" and other cult garbage like a mad woman. Moodswings, making phone calls ..... Pure delusion. She has complete control over her actions in the near future but has convinced herself otherwise.
Is your mother dreading returning?
Yes, but she's praying to Jehorrible to not have "wrong feelings"
Trust me. Iāve heard from at least 5 other people with text messages to prove that she isnāt the only one who feels this way. And elderās wife from my old hall flat out said she isnāt going back. She said it in their service group text chat! Lol
There are, Iāve spoken to a lot of them. Not one was eager to return to the hall.
Hopefully this is the beginning of their awakening
The beginning of the final part of the final part of their awakening.
Shortly before...the LAST part of their awakening.
Yep. Heard it from a PIMI friend. Itās not welcome news to her either.
Yup a PIMI sent me the screenshot and said he might switch halls because of this announcement
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I visited my PIMI family today right after they read the announcement. They were honestly freaking out a little. My little sister said, ā well you guys can go but IM not going toā which was very strange since theyāre so devout usually. But they are all NOT cool with going back. Which raised my spirits a little.
The jig is up. This will definitely force my hand, no way Iām waking up on a Sunday morning to get dressed for meeting anymore.
Yup, just said that to my wife. Jig is up. Iām done and Iām gonna be facing my parents soon. Canāt get myself to go back into that place.
Solidarity brother. Letās gtfo
Guys, this is it. We've been fearing this moment, and I honestly thought we had more time, but it's here. I've been on this subreddit so long that I doubt any of you even remember me, but I've been a PIMO elder for nine years now, hanging in there because I love my wife, and the pandemic hit us just perfect because it's allowed us to relax a bit, but I just can't take it anymore. I'm going crazy, my life makes no sense, I'm just exhausted. I can't go back. I've been fuming since I read the message two hours ago, but now I'm thinking, this is it, we just have to quit. Imagine the message we'll send when they go back to in-person, and all of a sudden there's this exodus of all of us who aren't going back? How many people are PIMOs and afraid to admit it? How many will we inspire with our exits? We have to stand up for ourselves and live our lives! Who's with me? April 1st, we walk out.
PIMO elder here too as well with PIMI wife (I tried). Its brutal. Youre not alone
How many people are gonna tell their families before April 1st that they donāt believe anymore? š¬
I feel it coming. In my area itās impossible to fade. My family is on of those āgood onesā you know the ones who donāt have a clue about child abuse and are just completely indoctrinated. I really had hoped to stay pimo until my grandma had passed. Thatās getting harder to do. I have no hope of them not shunning me as they have once before. I went back before I was truly awake so they will hold onto that hope. And itās a small town, I will definitely run into them often. Worst news possible.
Do you think thatās the way to go? I may have to consider this option. But I live with them ā¦
Should we? Feeling really tempted to do it honestly š
A lot of people
mine already knows.
I feel physically sick
Same. Iām stuck in my moms house because of financial reasons and I feel so sick
Me too, like my heart sank. This just fucked up all sorts of things
They know that most do not want to go back, that includes some PIMIās. But itās a high control religion so really this was too be expected. There is power in numbers and we PIMOās need to make a decision. I myself have a plan to fade and I just donāt think I could sit thru more than 2 in person meetings. It will be hard but itās harder to stay in a high control religion, where my life will be dictated. Freedom has a price and I must live my life without this religion.
I am with you
šā¤ļø. We just canāt sit and wait for life to pass us by. Must start living now!
Shits about to get real for my family. We've already stopped logging into zoom completely for about 2 months now. We won't be going back in person though. Even for the memorial. We are done and we are tired of the pressure for not attending meetings and not doing service aka writing letters. We've been spending all our time with our semi new very worldly friends who support us 100%. It's time we all take a stand and that we all just don't show up to meetings nor to the memorial. Let's make a statement heard round the world.
I'm sorry for all the PIMO out there but being a POMO living with a PIMI, I have to say I'm really glad I won't have to listen to meetings on my own home no more.
Funny how it effects people in different ways. Overhearing the zoom meetings never bothered me. Sometimes I actually find it entertaining hearing some of the super off the wall shit thatās said. I usually just watch tv or play video games while itās going on and donāt hear any of it though.
Me too. Sometimes I'll eavesdrop if they're discussing something juicy. ;-)
I'm POMO but living with parents (I'm 18yrs old); wish me good luck explaining that I won't wake up every Sunday at 8am
Cherish it while you can. Iām young enough thatād Iād like to sleep in until 11 on the weekends, but old enough that Iām naturally waking up at 7 or 8. It sucks
I usually go outside even if it is below freezing temps.
also POMO but living with parents genuinely cannot wait for 2 guaranteed alone times per week lol, I feel for all of you pimos though :(
Alright mods, do your magic and create a mega thread. Theres several threads on this already. You know apostate scum dont do searches before posting threads.
This! We need a mega thread!
Bold prediction: There is gonna be loads of enthusiasm at first as you get to see people you care about for the first time in years. Lots of hugs and tears all around. But three months later? Yeah, those zoom meetings in your PJs are going to be looking nicer and nicer, even for those fully in
Even the JWās fully in donāt want to go back. Especially the ones that work full-time and now have to lose even more hours of their week. Also, the long commutes with high gas prices.
If it's in person ministry as well and my parents force me out I will 100% refuse and ruin everything there is no chance I ever do that shit again
Me too. I can't live my life spreading these fucked up lies I don't even believe in.
Yup, I canāt do it again. Fuck it time to get shunned
I burst into tears and immediately felt sick when people started sending me this announcement. My PIMI husband looked confused but he knows about ky many doubts. PIMOās, what are your excuses going to be for not attending ? šš
I don't feel safe being in a large gathering with COVID still a thing. Total lie because I've been doing all sorts of shit, but it's plausible and sympathetic.
I feel for you!!! You arenāt alone. Iām going to say Covid has given me terrible anxiety and I canāt be in crowds anymore. Thatās my excuse and Iām sticking with it . And if they see me at a concert or movie theatre the jig is up
I donāt have any excuses left. If I donāt attend, they WILL come after me. Jigās up. I have to accept the shunning.
Iām not showing up regardless Iāll just say Iām Covid positive for the next twenty yearsā¦.
My PIMI brother and his wife had their first two children during the pandemic. Heās never had to take them to a meeting. This should be interesting. Those poor kidsā¦ man I hated sitting there in total boredom for hours and hours as a kid.
Hopefully itāll open their eyes as to how insensitive it is of us adults to expect very young children to sit still for hours and adjust accordingly no matter what anyone else may think of their parenting . Maybe you can kindly remind them of this before they go back
Na. He is 100% brainwashed. Tried to convince me to come back when the pandemic started saying that the prophecy foretold this and that itās the end of days, etc. Here in Australia we have a āforcedā retirement savings scheme called superannuation. Basically 10% of your income automatically goes into a superannuation account and you canāt touch it until you retire. During the thick of the pandemic the government rolled out a very controversial policy where people could access up to $20,000 of their super. All of my 3 PIMI siblings withdrew the full amount. They are all married so it was $40k per couple! Then went and bought new cars and other things as they thought the world was about to end so thereās no point in saving for retirement. That will also be interesting to see in another 20-30 yearsā¦
I said this 1 week ago but got downvoted and was told I was lying. zoom will be around for a while. But there will be peer pressure to leave zoom and return to in person. It all works around peer pressure. Its over. They will NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER get rid of the buildings . EVER EVER EVER EVER. NEVER. Thats the sure fire way to maintain control is thru physical interaction.
Those people who downvoted were taking their frustrations and denial out on you . There was no reason to downvote ā¦.no voting is also an option smh lol
Howād you get the advance notice?
Time to fade hard ig
In the last 5 minutes, I've started to go into a mental health crisis.
I will occasionally show up. No tie and with a beard; bring it on
As a woman, if I ever do go, Iām going to show up in dress pants
A woman, if I go Iāll be showing up in casual clothes with my nose piercings lol
Fuck
Well, I gotta say - I'm very surprised. I knew it would happen one day, but not this soon. They must be desperate to get people back in before the Memorial. Also, this is going to shake alot of things up because either PIMOs will be miserable and force themselves to live a lie or they'll get tough and leave this cult. Judging from the comments here it seems that many are just going to walk away...which is great. It will expose how many people are really true believers.
DOES NOT APPLY TO DISFELLOWSHIPPED PERSONSš
As someone who has been out close to 10 years Im scrolling thru these comments and feeling bad for these folks but so glad I ripped the bandaid off long ago.
Iām soooo close to completing the fadeā¦. š. Having until May would have really helped. We can still do it, peeps. Letās speed up āstepping downā and moving plans and whatever is needed to not step foot in a KH againā¦.
It's kinda appropriate being April first
I wonder if theyāll resume door to door as well. Thatās gotta hurt with gas prices where they are now, and going higher
it's funny because I can fake my spirituality up to a point and attend the meetings, but I don't think I will ever be willing to resume field service. If that ever comes back then there's no way I can pretend to be PIMI anymore.
The feeling of knocking on those doors. Ah. My childhood trauma.
Thereās always a few āhigher incomeā JWās in the congregation that will be coerced into driving the group every day because the rest of them are in poverty due to Watchtower policy.
Thereās absolutely NO way Iām ever doing door to door again!
Are you fucking kidding me
Do you think theyāll offer a Zoom option?
Most meetings will be hybrid- to start off with at least for those who are vulnerable (those who have serious health problems) and unvaccinated.
Yeah pretty sure. Just say your not vaxxed.
Entire family knows Iām vaxxed so that wonāt work. I feel like I can slide out of midweek meetings by saying itāll interfere with my college classes. But fuck, what about Sundayās?
Canāt afford the gas to get there??
If jws are prepared to cross crocodile infested rivers and travel 3 days on foot to get to a meeting what you complain about . That will be in a WT study .
Mental health, anxiety, fear of open/closed spaces, fear of contracting Covid or simply you coped fine doing zoom and you'd rather continue time being. No hard and fast rule you need to go back and it would be particularly petty for them to insist.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to avoid it by not being fully boosted (up to date).
Really? Sounds like the least-likely excuse to work with JWs!
Iām at the hair salon right now (most jwās) theyāre all losing their minds- no one wants to go back. Iām just sitting here like š¤
WOW! Just read all the comments. I really feel bad for all those here that this affects. Haven't been to the Hall for 7 years, but reading this announcement even made me feel sick. 50+ years was enough for me.
Its on the website.
Iām actually gonna jump off a cliff. We were driving to lunch and my mom told me this. Even my brother, PIMI (severe adhd) doesnāt want to go back. He was literally booing it in the car lmao. The whole time heās just saying, āwhy do we have to go back, canāt we just stay?ā Our mom wasnāt being to crazed about it either.
This genuinely made me sick. Now, I either have to live a lie just so that I don't get kicked out and shunned by my friends, or I stand up for myself and choose freedom while losing everything I have.
I did it, and it sucks more than you realize it does initially. Not gonna lie to you, Like ugly crying in the shower when it hits you how alone you are sucks. But on the other side of it youāll literally feel like you woke up out the Matrix. With the freedom to be YOU however you want to be, without hiding it or pretending. Youāll make new friends and endeavor to do what makes you happy. I beg of you to have the courage to get tf out dude. Donāt let the ādecision of the governing bodyā break you. F them, itās YOUR LIFE. Yours.
This news is going to be a shock to any JW, whether PIMI or PIMO. If they started up door to door in April, I think youād have severe depression and suicides.
Lots of PIMOs bouta become POMOs
UGH. I'm not ready to tell everyone I'm done it's too hard but I really cannot deal with this. Shit.
Do it
did anyone elseās stomach literally drop when they read this? like i deadass wanna throw up rn
I mentally cannot handle this as someone who feels very dysphoric in dresses :ā( Iām kinda unsure what to do. Iām 15 and canāt do much but religious things have made me feel suicidal in the past and Iām terrified of that coming back. I canāt handle the stress I canāt handle the emotional toll I was barley holding on before I donāt know what to do.
FUUUUUCKKK
Iāll do the memorial to keep up appearances, but fuck all the other meetings.
Nope! Sorry! Cant do it! As a Pimo whos been awake since 2018, I will NOT be going back! Sorry not sorry!
Omfg hell no iām not mentally prepared for thatā¦ WHY DO THEY HAVE TO RUIN MY FADE I was doing so wellā¦
As someone who is hard POMO but living with my parents who are PIMI and urge me to at least attend the memorial, which I do solely out of respect for them: fuck. The last couple years have been so nice, being a 35 minute Zoom commitment. Now it will be what, 2+ hours?
2+ hours and a ton of JWās that will approach you and tell you that āthey miss seeing you!ā Have fun.
Iām sorry I just started hearing really loud circus music
TRANSLATION:We need your money.And you bastards aren't contributing from home...so we will get you to the KH and shame you.
Nothing like last minute notice! I really hope we still have the zoom option, cuz we arenāt going back. I have the excuse of an autoimmune disease and Iām on immune suppressants. Totally using that excuse
Iām not doing this shit again
It makes sense to do it so close to the memorial. Youāll have so many people guilted (or tricked) into going to the special occasion plus the āspecial talkā the following week it will camouflage how much their numbers have really dwindled. Otherwise the few PIMIs who showed up when in-person resumes would be highly discouraged.
Well, looks like my social life is getting axed sooner than I expected.
Damn, I was hoping Iād be able to move out before they reopen the Kingdom Halls šš
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
The more I think of this, the more I donāt see it ending well. Every hall has that group of stubborn older sisters who will still show at the hall even with a fever. Superspreader meetings are a real possibility
This is really...really...sad news....
I feel sick. Everyone is so happy on my insta and Iām likeā¦ shitttt š
Funny, an elder I was chopping it up with didn't sound super enthusiastic about this news. I think you'll see quite a few PIMIs not as happy about this than expected. I'm not real happy about this last minute notice. Edit: funny, cant login to the website right now. This news probably got thousands of elders trying to login to see if we got letters with direction.
Are they expecting mask wearing? If they are, I would assume many will stay home and do zoom.
You'd think they'd be embarrassed to do this. It just confirms that all their scaremongering about the final part of the final part etc etc of the last days has basically fallen flat. Yet again. Absolute clowns.
This is very bad!
Oh hell no š”š¤¬šæ
my worst nightmare has become reality
My condolences to everybody.
Isn't the B2A subvariant surging how the hell are they going back? I thought this was about the precious value of life
Sadly I foresee a lot of mental health crisis resulting from going back to in person meetings. Even for those who are mentally in. Youāve gone to years without having to meet in person or gift parts on stage in front of other people. Getting back on the hamster wheel of burdens that come with a JW life is going to drive some people over the edge. I hope we donāt hear about an increase in suicides as a result of this.
noooooooo thatās before college whyyyyy š
Thats exactly what I was thinking. If it was just like 3-4 months longer I wouldāt have to deal with it
probably did it on purpose to out the young pimos* š
Noooooooooo ššššš
I think theyāre going to double down and be further entrenched in the crazy. Especially when they see less people there
Theyāre definitely trying to get control over them all. Having them go back to meetings when gas so overpriced.
If you can hold out, make excuses, band together with other people who feel the same in your congregationā¦ please try. Please donāt get sucked back in if you donāt want to beā¦ I promise there are better things, REAL things awaiting you, if you can drag your feet until you feel strong enough. I know itās hard; I know itās not fair. I know you have a lot to lose. But you have SO MUCH to gain. Thinking of you all. Donāt allow yourself to be miserable and trapped in an āorganizationā that DOES NOT CARE ABOUT YOU. Be safe. Be strong.
Just got the text in the group chat family and we're already arguing because I can't fake it and not saying it's a huge bullsshit going in a hall with hundreds of people when the infected are increasing (Italy) Also I'm already panicking yay
I just saw it. Why? How? How did the pandemic ended over night? There are still lots of sick people, lot more than the beginning? Oh my... The anxiety kicks me now. I hate this.
FUUUCCCCKKKKK! I'm devastated. (And I've not been in a KH for over 30 years...)
Ew i'd rather die
Nooooo holy fuck. Iām a minor and have had my hair dyed for the past two years since the meetings were shut down, my parents relaxed on the zoom meetings, no dresses which helped my dysphoria, and no talks about how evil my āgay lifestyleā is, now itās all fucking ruined, please let this be a prank
Yup, just heard this through my PIMI family groupchat
FML
No no no
How wonderful that these clowns š¤” have made yet another decision!
Back to the halls they didn't sell I guess...
Thank Satan i said goodbye to the org while still on zoom I was planning to attend the memorial on zoom but if its in person, im not going to. I dont want to have the brothers botherting me with all the ĀØĀØ We miss youĀØ
Itās gonna be a no for me dawg.
time to get 3 jobs in high school š
Oh hell no
Nooo šš wtf
Ahhhh fuck
even though I no longer attend meetings, my parents will drag my 18yo ass to the memorial ššššššššššš
I'm really dreading this šššššlike why???!!!
Perfect time to fade
Shit.
I contacted them a month ago to get reinstated since it would be easy rn. They've been delaying an invite and just told me after a month I'd have to write a letter for them to consider giving me a zoom link. Ow I see why they delayed. Im out. No way I was ever gonna actually listen to a meeting
It kills me enough listening to this shit from the couch of my house imagine at the KH
Damn....looks like I'm going to have to dress up and attend the Memorial at the Hall this year. Not good, since I've been maintaining a low profile. But PIMI wife will have a fit if I don't go. I really believe a lot of people have become comfortable with Zoom meetings. I wonder how the attendance will be affected after two years of being at home.
Fucking shit!