They say there is nothing worse than a death in the family and since divorce is considered a death of a relationship, it comes a very close second. But there are steps that you can take to survive divorce and even come out a better person on the other side.
Leave The Past in the Past - Whether you were the one seeking the divorce, or it was mutual, do not dwell on the past. Do not rehash, over and over, whose fault the divorce was or what could have been done to save the marriage.
Take One Day at a Time - If we could only live as children do. They live in the moment. They do not dwell on the past or worry about the future. Try it! It is how we were meant to live and it works! Take one day at a time by simply getting out of bed and putting one foot in front of the other.
Do Not Rush into a New Relationship Immediately After a Divorce - It may be tempting to jump right back into a relationship after your divorce. Those “transitional” relationships rarely last because they happen too quickly. Most of the time, the newly divorced individual is merely trying to fill a void of loss and loneliness.
Test the Waters - Instead of immediately looking for someone new, test the waters first. You can do this by joining “a divorce support group” or “a singles group”.
There are many groups available where, in a safe and fun environment, you can meet people with interests similar to your own.
Remain Active - After a divorce, it is very easy to fall into a “woe is me” disposition. You may feel like curling up in a fetal position and never leaving your house ever again. However, it is very important that you remain as active as possible. And, if you don’t have a full time job or are retired, you might want to try becoming a volunteer. If you love animals volunteer at your local shelter, if you love reading, try your local library. The options are endless! And, as you will soon discover, the one who will truly reap the benefits will be you!
Give Yourself Time To Heal - Since everyone adjusts and heals at their own pace after a divorce, do not think that there is a set time limit to grieving. However, if you are feeling worse after months or years, it may be wise to seek medical attention to rule out depression.
When you are ready to “get back in the game”, you will find important information here on how to attract to you a lasting and fulfilling relationship with the type of person you always wanted.
Dawn was born outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. After graduating from Elon University, she moved to Atlanta, GA where she lived for 15 years working in various sales and sales management roles. She now resides in Charlotte, NC where she lives with her husband, Marc, and their beloved dog, Hoops. She has two stepchildren, Marcus 19 & Hailey 17 who she thinks the world of.
