Preparing to exit the "broom closet" to my family, support VERY welcome

[The_Cricket]

Well, seeing as I've been a practicing pagan for almost 5 years now, I decided that its time my family knows. I'm going to be getting an obviously pagan tattoo on Monday, and for better or worse, that's when I'm going to tell my family.

I'm not really looking for advice on how to tell them, just some support for when I do. Thanks bunches.

[Zai]

Good luck and best wishes for you!

[EavanStar]

Good Luck! I hope they can broaden their minds to understand your goals and desires in life. :D

[The_Cricket]

Good Luck! I hope they can broaden their minds to understand your goals and desires in life. :D
Honestly, I doubt it. They're of the mold of "You can believe whatever you want, as long as its socially acceptable".

[Gladeflower]

Good luck

[Gaudior]

_pounce_ Hope all goes well.

[Ahautenites]

Well, other than not recommending the "I'm Pagan, please pass the potatoes," route, I don't have much advice.

My own experience was being outed, and it was not of my choosing. My father had Googled me, and he found a mention of me on Phoenix Blue's website. From there, he just followed his detective nose to find me everywhere else, including here. And then, when I was at a vulnerable point in my life, he chose that moment to let me know that he knew. He ridicules me for my beliefs, my mother hates it that I'm not Christian and prays that I will become a Christian some day. So, we just never talk about spirituality and religion, because all the major religions of the world are right, and anything *I* say can't possibly be valid. It's either "silly" or just "nonsense" that I know nothing about.

So, good luck. I hope your family is more supportive of your beliefs than mine is.

[Sharizzy]

Good luck! My mom is very open-minded about my religion; even though she doesn't agree with my beliefs, she respects my right to have them. My father and stepmother are a different story; they tease me every time that religion comes up. I've gotten everything from, "I'm going to call you Samantha from now on," to "Where'd you park your broomstick?"

That's not to say they don't love me, because I know that they do. They're just stupid about my religion. So I repeat, good luck!

[Cloaked Raven]

:hugz: My thoughts and prayers are with you!! Best of luck!!! :hugz:

[Moon_reaper]

Good luck to you!

[mountainpeace]

good luck! before you do tell them maybe write out a list of reasons pro and con of telling them...

if it will just cause you more stress maybe it would be best to tell them after you get your own place (unless you have your own place then telling them won't really effect your life)
but if you don't have your own place yet and depend on them for things... I just wouldn't tell them yet
but that's my opinion of what I would do considering how strong of a bible belt you live in and how tight of a community it is I think it will just cause you more stress than anything

I think getting the special ring (that you had talked about) to communicate with Goddess more and things are great...
I don't think coming out and telling them is going to help anything at this point until you are more settled in your life and in a better place of power to let them know look this is my life this is what it is...
but if they still have power over you (as in you don't have your own place yet) I just think this will just cause more stress than anything...
just my opinion
but if you do decide to tell them I really wish you the best of luck!

[FiresSong]

The best advice I can give is just to keep calm and make sure you're prepared to answer questions, even if they are asked negatively. Good luck!

[Eyeris]

Good luck! let us know how it goes. :)

[Chaos Hawk]

good luck :)

[Astucity]

Good luck to you. :)

[Gaudior]

The best advice I can give is just to keep calm and make sure you're prepared to answer questions, even if they are asked negatively. Good luck!


This. I've been thinking of what to say to my friend when I tell her...I'm more worried about her reaction than my parents...the worse they'll do is go "lulz." My friend is trickier; she's one of those independent Baptists and she's very kind and loving, and she once told me that she'd be my friend no matter what; it still worries me though.

Good luck though. You'll be okay, love. Blessings :)

[Jrdyn]

I wish you all the best... Sometimes those we know the best, surprise us the most.
I hope this is the case for you and that they come to accept you for who you are.

[danyaeldemonic]

I started lightweight...I changed my FB status first! lol As the weeks drew on, I'd post links or insights. I've had some of my siblings poking fun at me, but have had no negative feedback so far. I expected more seeing that a good deal of my list has old church friends