Divorce can be one of the most daunting thoughts to confront. Usually, it follows a time of soul-searching, often heartache, and quite frankly, relief. Although ending a marriage is a life-altering choice, certain truths about divorce may ease the transition. Here are 15 facts about divorce you can lean on as you reevaluate this difficult road.
Divorce: 15 Facts to Help You Deal with It
Your Emotions Are Valid
Divorce elicits a range of emotions (anger, sadness, confusion, grief), all of which are to be expected. So, to heal, you have to allow yourself to feel these things without judgment. Just know that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed once in a while.
Divorce Is Not a Failure
Divorce is in accordance with a personal failure because lots of partnerships are simply not intended to last since they do not function. Dissolving a marriage can be the brave first step to happiness and fulfillment.
Prioritize Self-Care
Taking care of yourself should come first after going through a divorce. Engage in activities that nourish your body and mind because you are all you have to weather the journey ahead.
Every Divorce Is Unique
Avoid comparing your experience with others. Each divorce has its own set of circumstances and emotional impacts. Focus on your personal journey and give yourself the grace to heal at your own pace.
Seek Support
Lean on friends, relatives, or experts who can provide emotional assistance. Be it through therapy or support groups, having someone to speak to works wonders for the healing process.
Patience Is Key
Healing from a divorce takes time and is rarely a linear process. You may have days when you feel strong and others when you feel devastated. Recognizing this ebb and flow can help you cope better.
Reassure Your Children
Kids require consistency and comfort during a divorce. Make time to provide love and support and remind them that they aren’t in this alone. Here is how to tell your kids about divorce.
Financial Planning Is Important
Divorce can also have financial implications, which require planning. Get your finances sorted and, if needed, find an expert who can help you — you want to lay a solid base for the future.
Communication Matters
Open and honest communication with your ex-spouse and children is vital. This can lead to healthier co-parenting relationships and help mitigate misunderstandings during stressful times.
Mindfulness Can Help
During turbulent times when people are anxious and stressed out, you may need to practice meditation techniques for relief. These practices help center you in the present moment instead of losing yourself in worst-case scenarios.
Your Happiness Is Your Responsibility
Seeking comfort in new relationships is a false sense of happiness; it will not last long. Happiness comes from within. Just take time to heal and remember what makes you happy before seeking external validation.
Forgiveness Is Liberating
Whether your ex-spouse deserves to be forgiven or not, forgiving them can release you from old resentment and heartache. It is a difficult process, but necessary for forward progress and positivity.
Focus on the Future
Instead of dwelling on the past, concentrate on what you want for your future. Setting goals and visualizing your desired life post-divorce can empower you to take proactive steps toward achieving them.
Life Can Be Amazing Again
The end of a marriage may mean the end of one chapter but also the start of another, with all the opportunities for growth ahead. You’re writing the next chapter of your story.
Closure Comes from Within
You will not find true closure in someone else (whether that’s validation from your ex-spouse or deep and meaningful conversations) — that’s something that happens within you. You choose when you are ready to move on.
Accepting these truths can bring clarity and solace in a troubling time and help you be strong in heading toward the next stage of life, which is filled with opportunities for happiness and fulfillment.
Learn about how the divorce process works
Divorce is just as much an issue of feelings as it is of law. Having an idea of what will happen will actually make you feel a bit more in control, which will mentally prepare you for what is to come.
1. First Things to Know About Starting a Divorce
In a divorce, the first step in the process is often to file a divorce petition. This is a notice that the marriage will be ended, and some basic info about both spouses and any children. Make sure that you are covering all of your bases and also aware of your rights and obligations by talking to a legal professional.
2. Serving Divorce Papers
After the petition is filed, the other spouse will receive a notice of your petition. This step is essential, because it formally alerts them of the divorce process. Proper serving is integral to start the clock on the divorce process and this will vary by state or jurisdiction. If the spouse is hard to find a professional process server may need to be hired.
3. Responding to the Petition
The spouse to be served with the divorce papers must file a reply within a certain time period (generally 14 to 30 days, depending on the jurisdiction). Which will either accept or object to the terms, affecting the manner in which the divorce unfolds. If they do not answer, a default judgment is given in favor of the spouse who filed the lawsuit.
4. Negotiating Terms
This is when the two sides discuss the details of the divorce, including the division of property and information about child custody and support payments. Marriage mediation works here, too, with the two spouses negotiating to come to an agreement instead of having a lengthy battle in the courts.
5. Finalizing the Divorce
Once both sides agree on all terms, final paperwork must be submitted to the court for approval. That includes any deals made in negotiations and can involve a hearing if there are some disputes. Once everything is resolved, a judge will issue a divorce decree that legally dissolve the marriage.
The Watershed Emotions of Divorce
Despite the court hearings or legal arguments, divorce is ultimately an emotional issue. Below are a few more tips on how best to cope with emotion at this time of pressure:
Acknowledge Your Feelings
You need to face your emotions and admit them. No matter if it is sadness, anger, relief—whatever—it is so important to feel them without judgment to heal.
Create a Support Network
Having friends and family around can help cheer you up amidst your divorce. Look for support groups where you can talk about your experiences with those who are facing similar challenges.
Focus on Personal Growth
Treat this time as an opportunity to grow and know yourself better. Do things that are good for you — for your mind, body, and heart- such as hobbies, exercise, education, etc.
Financial Considerations
Divorce often brings significant financial implications that require careful planning:
- Understand Your Finances
Take stock of your financial situation before proceeding with divorce negotiations. This includes understanding debts, assets, income sources, and expenses. Consulting with a financial advisor can help you navigate these complexities.
- Plan for Post-Divorce Life
Consider how your financial situation will change after divorce. Create a budget based on your new circumstances and plan for future expenses such as housing, child support, or education costs for children.
Moving Forward After Divorce
When you are in the transition through and after a divorce:
Embrace New Opportunities
Divorce can often seem like an ending to a chapter, but also a great beginning from which one has hope. Avoid thinking about what had happened, instead keep your mind on what you want out of life from now on.
Establish New Routines
Establishing new routines can provide some stability while transitioning. These are steps that can create a new sense of normal whether it is finding new social groups or taking up new interests.
Seek Professional Help if Needed
Reaching out to a mental health professional might help process some of these feelings of depression or anxiety that can come up as well.
Conclusion
Divorce is one of the hardest things you will go through in life, but holding on to these emotional truths can help open the way for the healing and recovery that follows. You can get through this journey, and then you can come out stronger and clearer just by putting you and your needs first and getting support when needed. The road ahead could be tough but remember that it could also lead to a brighter and well-deserved future. You have a lifetime full of opportunities in front of you so make a leap of faith — trust yourself enough to build a new (even better) life.
Find out how can divorced parents affect a child’s well-being. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest alerts.
Source
- https://www.thedivorcemagazine.co.uk/19-truths-about-divorce-that-will-make-you-feel-better/
- https://www.womenslaw.org/laws/de/divorce/basic-info/what-are-basic-steps-filing-divorce
- https://www.equitablemediation.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-divorce
All images from pixabay.com
SmartDivorceNetwork.com Thanks to all our contributors; Independent Writers, Journalists and Guest Gloggers for helping the site to became better with good an engaging content and for keeping our readers up to date with the most recent information about divorce.
