After being with a religious sect

[Bassim]

Have I made any mistakes?

After being with a religious sect for more than ten years, Tim decided to quit when it dawned on him that the charismatic leader whom he adored was nothing but a fraud - a manipulator, who used people to enrich himself. Tim felt he had wasted ten years of his life for nothing and was angry mostly at himself. How could I have allowed myself to be taken in? I should've listen to the voice of reason, he thought as he was looking at his empty bank account. He was damaged by his experience and would need years until he start having trust in people again.

 

[teechar]

I should've listen to the voice of reason,

Fix that.

He was damaged by his experience and would need years until he start having trust in people again.

Rephrase those.

 

[Bassim]

Would these sentences be OK?

I should've listened to the voice of reason,
He was damaged by his experiences and needed years before he could trust people again.

 

[teechar]

I should've listened to the voice of reason,

OK.

He was damaged by his experiences and needed years before he could trust people again.

I would use "by that experience".

 

[Tarheel]

I might say:

It would take years before I can start trusting in people again.

Or:

It will take years before I can start trusting in people again.

Possible deletions. One word in one sentence. Two words in another.

 

[Tdol]

The jump from he to I is sudden and hard to follow. You could use direct speech or change the pronouns for me.

 

[Tarheel]

Try:

the charismatic leader he adored

And:

Tim felt he had wasted ten years of his life and was angry mostly at himself.