Untangling Belief: Leaving Systems That Once Felt Like Home

Many of us are shaped by the belief systems we grow up inside—families, faith traditions, schools, communities. Often, those systems are rooted in care, structure, and a desire to protect. And sometimes, over time, they can become restrictive, harmful, or misaligned with who we are becoming.

This month’s HerHaus conversation holds space for complexity.

We’ll hear from three women who were raised inside highly controlled, insular religious environments—often described as “cult-like”—and who later made the deeply personal decision to leave. This is not a conversation about blame, villainizing parents, or condemning faith. It’s about understanding how belief systems shape identity, how difficult it can be to question what once felt foundational, and what it means to reclaim autonomy, voice, and self-trust.

Together, we’ll explore:

• How tightly structured belief systems can impact self-worth, fear, and decision-making
• The emotional and relational complexity of leaving—grief, relief, confusion, and growth
• How women rebuild meaning, boundaries, and identity after stepping away
• What compassion looks like—for ourselves, our families, and the systems we once trusted

This will be a grounded, respectful, and deeply human conversation centered on storytelling, reflection, and shared understanding rather than debate or diagnosis.

Come with curiosity. Come with care. Come knowing there is no single story—only lived ones.