Personal reflections and insights from Megan’s ongoing journey with religious harm recovery.
A Note From Megan | Do you ever make a commitment and immediately regret it? This is common for people who grew up without real autonomy. In this newsletter, I explore developmental autonomy abuse, how it this form of religious trauma lingers in the nervous system, and what can help commitments feel safer over time.
A Note From Megan | Purity culture doesn’t stop at policing our sexuality. It can also show up as a rigid belief that there is one right way to live, work, eat, rest, or engage socially. This Note looks at how purity culture thinking may still seep into our day to day lives even after leaving a high-control religion.
A Note From Megan | Have you ever received a message with the phrase “I’ll pray for you” and wondered how to deal with it? In this newsletter, I explore the different motivations behind such messages—ranging from manipulation to genuine care—and how to navigate these interactions in ways that support your autonomy and emotional safety.
A Note From Megan | The holiday season can trigger a whirlwind of emotions for those of us who grew up in religious environments. This newsletter unpacks some of my personal experiences with these triggers and how we can navigate this time in ways that honor our evolving relationship with holiday traditions.
A Note From Megan | As the holiday season approaches, I’ve been reflecting on the importance of chosen family, especially for those of us who have distanced ourselves from harmful relationships. This newsletter discusses how cultivating the supportive bonds of “chosen family” can provide healing and connection when traditional family ties feel strained or absent.
A Note From Megan | My faith began and ended the same way—with vibes over theological arguments. I didn’t leave because I found better answers. I left because my values no longer aligned with what I was taught to accept. If that sounds familiar you might find pieces of your story in mine.
A Note From Megan | It’s wild how easily old conditioning can surface, especially when it comes to standing up for myself. In this newsletter, I’m exploring the spectrum between subservience and self-worth, and my ongoing struggle with moving beyond boundaries to actually confronting bad behavior.
A Note From Megan | Have you ever noticed how we often resist the parts of oppressive systems that hurt us while still clinging to those that benefit us? In this newsletter, I reflect on my own journey away from fundamentalist beliefs and question whether our efforts to deconstruct are genuinely aimed at dismantling systemic oppression or merely serve our own self-interest.
A Note From Megan | Because of my religious upbringing, forgiveness has often felt like an unfair emotional burden on the wounded party. In this Note, I explore my preferred framework for navigating ruptures in relationships — one that doesn’t involve “forgiveness” at all.
A Note From Megan | In this newsletter, I discuss the challenges of recognizing safe vs unsafe people in your life by sharing some of my personal journey of navigating boundaries and course-correcting when something feels “off.”