EPISODE 106 SHOW NOTES

I am “going there” in today’s episode-I’m talking about the tough (and also delicate) subject of letting go of religion. it’s almost as if I am coming out to the world and speaking my whole truth for the first time. This episode is all about finding peace within myself and that my truth could be different than the one of my upbringing, and that the only way to set myself free was to stand boldly in that truth, no matter how scary it was.

I teach from stories-my stories, to be exact, and the lessons I have learned have all been through my own path. Although I can obviously learn from others, it is my own struggles and my own triumphs that have solidified principles that have helped me to improve my life and live in a world where I find joy and peace and pleasure more than struggle. I have chosen to surrender to where the universe takes.

My story today is one of my more vulnerable ones. It’s really fresh on my mind, because I’m still going through the emotions, and dismantling the stories around it. So this one is being told out of love and for the sole purpose of helping another person navigate the struggle that is real when we move away from our origin. My story is a transition within my spiritual understanding-my faith of origin-but yours could be choosing a career that was outside of your family’s choice, or a marriage that was outside the cultural boundaries. It may even be you’re not going to college and are choosing to pursue something different in your life.

Anytime we go against our tribal roles, we feel incredibly vulnerable and fearful. I’ve absolutely felt this since letting go of my religion.

In today’s episode, I’m talking about letting go of my religion, and more about:

• My upbringing in the Mormon faith (specifically, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
• My experience putting on an interfaith womens’ conference with two other women, and how this conference changed my life (basically, how it rocked my world in a way I wasn’t expecting)
• How I started questioning things, and really viewing them differently (especially when it comes to culture and gospel), which led to me anxiety, and being at war with myself
• My realization that I already was enough and needed to start trusting my intuition more after having a distinct experience with God speaking to me (he actually asked “when are you going to trust me?”), which led to another direct sign that I specifically asked God for
• The very difficult decision I made to finally leave my church and faith of origin

After I made the decision to leave my religion in September 2021, there have still been parts of me that yearned for all of it again, because it’s all so familiar. I believed that I needed to earn my worth, and that I had to do something in order to gain favor. At first, I really judged those that were in and those that were out; it was like my brain’s way of understanding how this new version of Wendy was going to show up.

Now, a year later, I really love them, and I know they’re doing their best. So many of my dearest friends are very active members and I love that they find peace and love and safety in that.

It was the scariest freaking thing I have ever experienced when I made the decision to leave, and let go of my religion.

I didn’t want the bitterness or resentment. I wanted the love that exists beyond the borders of that safe box, and for me, religion was a box. It was a box that was slowly suffocating me, and I knew there was more for me. I knew I couldn’t fully express myself until I allowed myself to stand up in that box and finally leap out into the unknown. Now, the peace and joy and love I have received after fully trusting myself is indescribable.

I want you to know that you can truly be free when you follow your heart. The most loving thing we can do is live our truth and allow others the learning and growth they deserve by us being brave enough to do so. I encourage you to be brave, live your truth, and set yourself free.

Resources and links mentioned in today’s episode:

• Download your FREE copy of the 5 ways to discover your inner voice and begin your inner shift with me: https://wendybunnell.com/ 
• I would love to continue this conversation-connect with me over on Instagram!