Even though about half of marriages end in divorce, no one thinks they’ll be part of that statistic. However, some marriages just can’t be saved, and divorce becomes the only reasonable option left. Here’s how to survive this devastating time.

Take the Time to Mourn

Immediately after you decide to divorce, you will feel overwhelming emotions – pain, grief, anger, betrayal, loneliness, and self-doubt, to name just a few. And it’s okay. Some of them won’t make sense, but they are all valid. Allow yourself to feel them, but do not ruminate too much on the negatives.

Forgive Yourself

It’s easy to think of divorce as a failure, but some things aren’t just meant to last. Remember that your ex once made you happy too, and if you’ve had kids, consider them your marriage’s greatest gift. No matter what has transpired, learn to forgive your ex and especially yourself.

Ask for Help

Divorce can make you feel incredibly vulnerable. Do not isolate yourself from friends and family. They are the ones who can help you navigate this difficult time, as well as keep you from making terrible decisions. It’s also not a bad idea to see a therapist, as divorce can take a toll on your mental health.

Work on Yourself

When you’ve become someone’s other half, it’s not surprising to feel like you’ve lost part of yourself after ending the marriage. It might be hard to find your identity again, but it can be done. Lean on your support system. Go on a sabbatical to reflect. Meet new friends outside of the marriage to discover new passions and interests. Focus on your strengths, learn a new skill, and start reinventing yourself.

Get Your Finances in Order

Everybody knows how costly divorces can get. It will be a big adjustment being back on a single-household salary, especially if you have dependents. Create a new budget for your reduced income and find areas to cut back on. Instead of wallowing, distract yourself and find new income avenues.

You’d want to make sure that your credit score doesn’t suffer a hit after the divorce, so it would be best to close all joint accounts with your ex and settle debts that you had together. You will need an experienced family law lawyer to help you deal with divorce’s financial aspects, such as assets and liabilities distribution. Contact Stacy Regele for a free consultation.