After four months in the United States I’m finally back in Sicily! Organizing documents has been a journey but I got them in check and I can resume the process of living in Europe long term. I had mentioned previously that when I returned home December 2023 it was the first time I went back…
Author: natalie.castagnola
Another Life Update!
Back to Sicily! After four months of visiting my family in the United States I’m happy to say that I will be returning to Sicily this April! I organized some personal documents to help me live in Europe long term and now I finally have them and can resume life in Europe. It was a…
Leaning into Anger
A common experience for those leaving Mormonism are the waves of emotion they are hit by when stepping away. For me it was anger. When I came to terms with my discomfort in the church and after learning about church history I was angry. I was angry for the information about the church that had…
“End of Beginning”
Tiktok’s latest “it” song is Djo’s “End of Beginning”. It’s often accompanied with indie sleaze inspired outfits of the day clips or dramatic edits to the emotional climax of beloved blockbusters. Regardless of the accompanying video, its melancholy synth riffs somehow have the power to pause my doom scrolling, even if it’s just for a…
Quick Life Update!
I will make this quick, but I am back in the states for the time being. I am in the process of getting Italian citizenship but need to get some more documents in order and it made more sense for me to do that here in the states then to try to organize everything on…
The Evolution of Reading
My dad still compliments me on the way I studied the scriptures when I was a believing Mormon, even though I haven’t read the bible nor the Book or Mormon since 2020. He says that he likes that I would study to improve myself and not simply to prove any specific point I was trying…
Unsettled Sediment
When I first left Mormonism, I desperately wanted to leave it all behind me. Completely and totally. To be someone entirely separate from the community I grew up in. I figured moving to Spain could be the right opportunity to simply “move on” both emotionally and physically seeing that I was changing to an altogether…
Was Living Abroad the Right Decision?
First arriving to spain Today marks two years in Spain. Two years of language learning and fumbling over my words. Two years of new food and the occasional McDonalds when I was feeling homesick. Two years, three apartments (and counting), and ten roommates. Two years of visa red tape fails and triumphs. Two years exploring…
Saving Myself from Marriage
From my first semester back from my mission until the start of my junior year at BYU-Idaho, I prayed to meet my future husband. It’s embarrassing to admit but in my early twenties I was desperate to be somebody’s wife. I wanted it more than academics. I wanted it more than travel. I wanted it…
In the Midst of Deconstruction
Pandemic Revelations We have had more than enough time to experience, observe, and live life in the pandemic. And there are plenty who would say they are different now than when it all started. And with each unique story we still find threads of commonality.That has been my story; entirely unique and utterly familiar. During…