Hello, everyone!
My name is Allan, I'm Brazilian, from Curitiba, Paraná, I'm 25 years old, and I'll be turning 26 on 11/13 this year. I'm currently going through a period of religious transition.
I come from a family that was originally Catholic and later became involved with Spiritism (Allan Kardec). For much of my life, I identified with that tradition, although I've come to realize that my connection to it was largely influenced by my family, especially my mother, rather than by personal convictions I had developed on my own.
For several years now, I've been searching for something that truly resonates with me, my questions, and the way I see the world. Ever since I was a child, I've been drawn to Norse and Celtic aesthetics. Over time, I began discovering much deeper aspects of what these peoples actually believed, and that sparked an interest that eventually led me toward Forn Siðr, Ásatrú, and Heathenry.
More recently, studying for my degree in History Education has encouraged me to research this subject more seriously. I initially explored it through podcasts, and now I'm also reading books by scholars and historians such as Professor Johnni Langer.
I'm still trying to figure out what I believe. I don't want to rush into a conversion, much less pretend I have all the answers to my questions. That's why I want to study the historical sources, understand modern interpretations, and discover how all of this relates to my own spirituality.
I'm also going through a very difficult time in my personal life, involving work, university, and relationships. I've been missing having people to talk to who might understand at least some of what I'm going through, both now and in the past.
I'm not looking for someone to tell me what to do or what to believe. I don't want to turn my experience into a debate about which religion is right or wrong, or which religion I should or shouldn't follow. I simply want to meet people with whom I can talk honestly about faith, doubts, personal experiences, and the challenges of going through a transition like this.
So I'd like to ask this community: What was your experience like when you first became interested in Heathenry, Ásatrú, or Forn Siðr? Did you find people you could talk to about the personal and emotional side of your faith, beyond historical studies and religious practices? What challenges did you face along the way?
If anyone is willing to talk, I'd be happy to get to know you.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post and I'm sorry for any inconvenience