Religious Trauma is a Ticket Out
It’s been a while, but I didn’t want the day to go by without celebrating — after 5 years of writing on the internet via various platforms, I’ve self-published my first book.
I began my writing journey as a xtian fundamentalist, read and wrote my way into progressivism, and just this year settled contentedly into atheistic agnosticism. All the promises made by bible-wielders and jealous fear-mongers can’t hold a candle to the legit joy I’ve found simply being my own person.
Eventually, I’ll unpack my personal journey. For now, I’m offering words of hope, healing, and affirmation for those have suffered from, and survived, spiritual abuse, cult indoctrination, and/or a toxic faith.
Composed for both the exvangelical and the deconverted, this 21 poem mini-collection honors, mourns, and celebrates the journey out of religious suppression and into self-kindness and spiritual empowerment.
Out now at Bookshop.org, Amazon, and other booksellers, and also available for Kindle.
If you’d like to get a feel for my writing before you buy, head to my Instagram. I’m writing a poem every day in November, following prompts based off my book.
Follow the ache, friend. It will lead you home.
Amanda Dzimianski [zhuh-man-skee] (She/Her) is a lifelong writer building a home in poetry, and a human learning how to be — how to be present, to be whole, to be loving, to be herself. She is a certified writing coach, poet, parent and partner, homeschool teacher, and a firm believer in the power of the small space. She lives near Athens, Georgia, the lands of the Yuchi, Muskogee/Creek, and Cherokee (Eastern Band) peoples, with her spouse David and their two young sons. You can connect with Amanda online at amandadzimianski.com, and on Instagram at @amanda.idareyoutospellit.
