I remember the moment I first started to question the teachings about my body that I'd grown up with in Christian culture. Wearing a purity bracelet and signing a card felt like a badge of honor, but it came with an invisible weight of shame that followed me everywhere. It was only when I began to truly deconstruct those beliefs that I realized the shame was exactly the opposite of what I needed—it was a barrier, not protection. This process of questioning everything taught me the difference between cultural expectations and the deeper spiritual truths I found in my relationship with God. Through conversations with others who struggled under similar burdens, especially women within faith communities, I felt less isolated. Many of us carry the echoes of purity culture—those lessons taught with the best intentions but causing pain. I’ve learned that healing doesn’t mean discarding faith; it means reclaiming it in a way that honors both God’s love and our full humanity. The chapter I dedicated to these experiences in my book dives deeper into how to navigate this journey, encouraging readers to challenge harmful narratives and embrace grace. For anyone feeling trapped by the shame instilled by purity culture, know that your feelings are valid and there is a path forward. Deconstruction is not destruction—it’s a rebuilding of faith on a foundation of understanding and self-acceptance. Support communities like #womenoffaith and #exvangelical are incredible resources for finding solidarity and hope as you walk this path.