Tips for coping with a divorce

On Behalf of | Dec 20, 2021 | Divorce

Divorce has become quite commonplace in our society. Around 50% of marriages end in divorce. But although divorce is something most people are likely to experience in their lives, it doesn’t mean they are prepared to handle it.

In today’s post, we discuss a few key strategies for processing your divorce – and moving on with your life.

Allowing grief

Divorce marks the end of a significant person being in your life. In many regards, processing this change is akin to coping with the death of a loved one. Know that there will be a grieving process – and that this is natural. It’s important to give yourself time and space to process these emotions. Don’t try to rush this process or pretend you’re further along than you actually are. Healing takes time.

Self-care

You may be a person who always cares for others – and puts their wellbeing over your own. During this time, it’s especially important to take time to care for your own needs. You may want to start journaling to help understand and process your emotions. You may find it useful to read books that help you sort out your feelings and reactions to this experience.

Seeking support

It is also important to have a network of people who will support you through your grief. You may have family and friends who offer their support and a sympathetic ear initially. However, after a few months, you may begin to feel like a burden on them for not being back to your regular self yet. Therefore, it may be a good idea to seek out professional resources to see you through the healing process. This may be a professional counselor or psychologist, or it could take the form of a grief support group or workshop.

Moving on

Finally, it’s important to actually want to feel better. This may seem like common sense, but it’s not always that straightforward. It can be easy to get swept up in the negative emotions – the anger, resentment, sadness and anxiety – and want to dwell in those emotions. Holding onto painful feelings for too long can be harmful. Letting them go is a critical step to healing.

Just because divorce is common doesn’t make it easy. Taking the time to focus on yourself can help you to come out stronger on the other side.