Start Here

Thinking about leaving? You don’t have to figure this out all at once.

Step 1: Realize you're not crazy for questioning

If you’re here, something probably doesn’t feel right, and that alone can be unsettling.

Questioning what you’ve been taught, especially in environments like Jehovah's Witnesses, can bring up fear, guilt, and confusion. That’s normal.

You’re not broken. You’re not doing something wrong.
You’re thinking! And that’s allowed.

Step 2: Don't force yourself to make any decisions right now

There’s no deadline on this process.

You don’t have to:

- leave immediately
- confront anyone
- make a big announcement

You’re allowed to:

- take your time
- learn quietly
- think things through at your own pace

Make this about clarity, not pressure.

Step 3: Understand that it's okay to look into things

You may have been told that researching outside information is dangerous or wrong.

Take a second and think about this:

If something is true, it can stand up to questions.

Looking at different perspectives doesn’t mean you’ve made a decision, it just means you’re trying to understand.

Step 4: Plan, don't make sudden moves

When things start clicking, it’s tempting to act fast.

Try not to.

Before making any big decisions, think about:

- where you would live

- how you would support yourself

- who you can safely trust

Moving slowly is not weakness. It’s actually really smart.

Step 5: Assess your options (you have more than you think!)

Everyone’s situation is different. There’s no “right” way to handle this.

Some people:

- stay for a while and quietly process

- slowly distance themselves over time (“fade”)

- leave more directly, as soon as they have a plan

You’re allowed to choose what works best for your safety and your life.

Step 6: Consider that you are not alone

It can feel like you’re the only person thinking this way.

You’re not.

There are hundreds of thousands of people who have:

- asked the same questions

- felt the same fear

- and found their way forward

You’re not alone, even if it feels like it. In our resource guide, we will go over good vs bad ways to find support.

Step 7: Know that how you feel is normal

You might feel:

- anxious

- guilty

- scared

- curious

- overwhelmed

Sometimes all at once.

That doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong though. All of this just means you're navigating a change in thought process.

Step 8: Get ready for what's next

When you’re ready, here is where we go next:

Understanding the Beliefs → take a closer look at what you’ve been taught
Read Real Stories → hear from people who’ve been where you are
Exit Planning → practical steps to prepare safely
Support & Resources → mental health, housing, and guidance

Explore Beliefs

Read Stories

Find Resources

Scroll down to continue building your exit plan.

Get clear on your situation first:

Before anything else, take a step back.

Ask yourself:

Am I financially dependent on family or a partner?
Do I have a safe place to go if things change quickly?
Who (if anyone) can I trust outside of this environment?

Start writing your answers down, or keep them in a digital note that is not accessible to anyone else.

Let's talk finances:

This is one of the most important steps. If you leave without any financial support, things can get very hard very fast.

Start small:

Open a private bank account (if safe to do so)
Set aside any money you can, even small amounts
Look into job options or side income

Free tools to help:

Mint (budget tracking)
EveryDollar (simple budgeting)
Google Sheets (free DIY budget templates)

Even $5–$10 at a time builds momentum.

Get a budget ready by calculating your income versus what you project you'll need for bills. This will help you see how close you are to the income adjustment needed for your next steps.

Secure your important documents:

Make sure you have access to:

ID / driver’s license
Social Security card
Birth certificate
Passport (if applicable)
Insurance cards

If you can:

Keep copies in a safe, private place
Store digital copies in a secure email or cloud account

These are much harder to get later if you lose access.

Think about where you will go:

You don’t need to move immediately, but you should have a plan.

Options might include:

a trusted friend
extended family
renting a room
temporary housing programs

Free resource:

211
(Dial 211 to find local housing, food, and support services)

Even a temporary plan is better than none.

If your finances can't accommodate a place of your own and you don't have a friend or family member to stay with, utilize Facebook groups made for single people looking for roommates. Typically, a room rental in an established home is more affordable and easier to get approved for. Remember that this can be a temporary place to stay until you get on your feet, and that you should make sure to choose carefully when looking at roommates. Never go into a situation where you feel uneasy or uncomfortable with the people you would be living with.

Protect your privacy:

This is especially important if you’re not ready for others to know about your plans.

Consider:

Using private browsing or incognito mode for research and looking at new living options
Creating a separate email account
Logging out of shared devices
Being mindful of who can see your phone/computer
Changing your passwords on things that others may have access to

It's important to think through this at your own pace. Having the opinions of others thrown on you too soon can make it much harder to determine what YOU really think and feel.

If someone in your life can be impartial and unbiased, it's okay to trust them to talk to. If it is someone who will immediately argue or crush down your thoughts, it would be unwise to share this with them too soon.

Build your support system:

Leaving can feel isolating, so don’t wait until you’re alone to start connecting.

This could be:

one trusted person
online communities
a therapist familiar with religious trauma
co-workers or acquaintances not associated with the organization
"worldly" family members who care about you

Free support options:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
Local support groups (via 211 or community centers)

You don’t need a big circle, just a safe one.

Take it one step at a time:

You don’t have to do everything at once.

A realistic approach might look like:

Start saving money
Gather documents
Explore job or housing options
Build support
Then decide when/how to leave

Slow is safe. Safe is smart.

Things to keep in mind:

You might face pressure, guilt, or fear tactics
You might feel unsure even when you’re making the right choice
You might need to adjust your plan as you go

All of that is normal.

When you leave:

This part matters just as much as the exit itself.

You may:

feel free and terrified at the same time
grieve relationships
question everything

That doesn’t mean you made a mistake.