Starting Over: Tips for Rebuilding Life After Divorce

Going through a divorce is never easy. Even if things end amicably and you know you’ll eventually be better off, it’s a difficult process. No one gets married assuming they will eventually get divorced. It’s a loss. It’s something to grieve. 

Unfortunately, it can also leave you feeling overwhelmed. Whether you were married a short time or for decades, you might find yourself wondering what your life will look like now. Essentially, you’re “starting over” in many ways. 

You might have to get used to living with a single income. Your schedule with your children might change. Will you ever want to date again? 

Don’t let these things keep you from moving on and moving forward. Starting over and rebuilding your life after a divorce is possible, and you can move into your next chapter in healthy ways with a few effective tips. 

Don’t Ignore Your Feelings

Divorce has become far too common. But don’t ever let those statistics make you feel like your feelings about your marriage are invalid. You don’t need to “ignore” your emotions or try to push them down in order to move on. 

In fact, that will likely make things worse. 

Accept the way you’re feeling. Give yourself time to grieve. Doing so will help to weaken anxiety and allow you to be more accepting of the fact that things are over and a new chapter is starting. 

Ask For Support

It’s easy to feel incredibly alone after going through a divorce. Don’t let yourself fall into that trap. You might be tempted to isolate yourself from family and friends, but that will likely make things worse. 

Instead, lean into your support system. Ask for help when you need it, whether it’s a shoulder to cry on or someone to help with everyday errands for a while. It’s important to recognize that you’re not alone, and you don’t have to bear the brunt of this on your own. Your loved ones want to be there for you, so let them. 

Practice Self-Care

Self-care isn’t a frivolous or excessive thing. It’s a necessary practice that is designed to improve your mental and physical well-being. 

While self-care is important for everyone, it’s especially effective and essential after a divorce. Self-care practices like getting enough sleep, staying physically active, and eating a healthy diet can help you feel your best. 

Things like mindfulness, meditation, and journaling are also forms of self-care that can improve your mental well-being. These practices will help you fight back against anxiety and depression and keep you focused on the present. Far too often, people who have gone through a divorce spend time looking backward. You might wonder what you could have done differently. You might even focus on regrets. It’s hard to move forward when you’re looking back. Mindfulness and meditation will help you to stay in the moment so you’re less tempted to drag yourself into the past. 

Seek Out Professional Help

Again, you don’t have to go through the aftermath of a divorce alone. While leaning into your “tribe” is important, don’t hesitate to talk to a therapist if you’re struggling with this major life change. 

Therapy can help you dig deeper into your own emotions. You’ll develop a greater understanding of where the feelings are stemming from. You’ll also learn how to manage your emotions as you move forward so you can truly and fully heal. 

There’s no question that a divorce is one of the biggest life changes you can deal with. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it, so you can start rebuilding a healthier and happier life for yourself through divorce counseling.