Divorce Information

How to Recover From Divorce


As a licensed mental health professional, I work with many individuals, couples, and families who are affected by divorce. I have developed this list of survival strategies for people who are experiencing divorce. If you or someone you love is in this situation, I hope these ideas will help you.

1. Take your time as you adjust to your changed life circumstances. Recognize that you are going through a major life transition that cannot be rushed.

2. Set up temporary arrangements to help you get through the changes involved in your divorce process.

3. You will often feel frustrated. Avoid the temptation of acting for the sake of acting just because it gives you a temporary feeling of being in control.

4. When you feel uncomfortable, slow down and identify what you are feeling and why.

5. Don't force any more changes on yourself than are necessary.

6. Explore both the benefits and costs of your new life.

7. Think about the future. In your journal, explore the question, "What is waiting to happen in my life now?"

8. Remember to ask yourself, "What am I supposed to learn from this?"

9. Protect yourself against the inevitable forgetfulness and absent-mindedness which many divorcing people report. Make a list of important account numbers, telephone numbers, and the like, and keep them in a safe place.

10. Watch out for too many changes in your life as you recover from the divorce and the changes in your life circumstances. Change causes stress, and you have enough right now.

11. Let people help you.

? If it's impossible to reciprocate, say so.

? People know that your life isn't like it used to be.

? Don't let your inability to reciprocate prevent you from accepting what people willingly offer.

12. Let go of your need for perfection. You will not survive emotionally unless you lower your expectations.

13. Develop your ability to be flexible and find creative ways to solve problems.

14. Learn to set priorities. Do the most important things first.

15. Trust your gut feelings. Pay attention to your instincts and act on them.

16. Simplify everything in your life. You cannot afford to keep it complicated.

17. Find an outlet for your anger. If a friend is not available, look for a minister, rabbi, or professional counselor. If money is an issue, look for a therapist who will see you for a low fee.

18. Teach yourself to let go of guilt. You don't have time for it and it's not necessary.

19. Focus on issues you have control over. If something is beyond your control, don't waste your emotions on it.

20. Create a ceremony to acknowledge your divorce.

21. Learn to be assertive. You can't say yes to every request, whether it is from your family members or people in the community who want your time and resources. If you give it all away, you will have nothing left for yourself.

22. Find ways to take care of your body. Get regular checkups and make time to exercise. You need rest now more than ever. Watch your alcohol intake.

23. Find someone who will listen to you. Sometimes you have to ask, for example, "I need a sounding board right now. Can I have 15 minutes of your time?"

24. Rent a sad movie and let yourself cry (when the kids aren't around). Crying allows you to release the sadness that you are sure to feel.

25. Do at least one fun thing for yourself every week.

26. In your private journal, make a list of all the things you're afraid of.

27. In your private journal, make a list of all the things you worry about.

If you have children:

28. Manage your own emotions so you will be able to help your child manage his or her struggle.

? Learn as much as you can about how children respond to divorce and life in a single-parent home.

? Do not expect your child to respond the same way you do.

? Take your child's developmental stage into consideration when responding to his or her behavior.

29. Make it okay for your children to talk to you about their feelings.

30. Keep appropriate boundaries.

? Don't give in to the temptation to let your child take care of you.

? Let your children be children.

? Avoid burdening them with your feelings and the facts of the divorce.

? Find another adult to be your sounding board.

31. Even though you may be unable to be present as much as in the past, your children still need adult supervision. Look for ways for other adults to look in on your kids when they are home alone, even when they are teenagers.

32. Just because your child appears to be handling his or her emotions well, don't assume that he or she is okay. Some kids respond to divorce by becoming overly responsible or by closing down their emotions. They may need to hear, "Tell me how you're feeling."

33. While it is important to listen and accept your children's feelings, it is equally important to set limits on behavior.

34. Keep a private journal where you express your feelings. Be sure to keep it in a private place where your children won't find it. A journal provides a place to express anger, sadness, loneliness, and fear-all of those feelings you feel every day as a single parent.

35. Remind yourself that recovering from divorce will take time. Your recovery will happen on its own schedule, and it will happen. You will get through this intact.

36. Get together with other single-parent families. Sharing times with people facing similar issues can make you feel normal.

Garrett Coan is a professional therapist,coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey office locations are accessible to individuals who reside in Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Rockland County, and Manhattan. He offers online and telephone coaching and counseling services for those who live at a distance. He can be accessed through http://www.creativecounselors.com or 201-303-4303.


MORE RESOURCES:

Goodhue County judge got special deal in divorce, complaint says
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 6 hours ago
A Goodhue County Judge improperly received a $63503 discount on his $108876-divorce in exchange for directing mediation business to the lawyer who handled ...


Complaint says judge got special deal
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 1 hour ago
Timothy Blakely might have sent business to his lawyer and later received a markdown of $63503 on his divorce. By ROCHELLE OLSON, Star Tribune Homicide map: ...
Dakota County / Judge denies divorce fee deal Pioneer Press
Minnesota judicial board alleges wrongdoing by Goodhue County judge Post-Bulletin
Minn. board alleges wrongdoing by judge West Central Tribune
all 25 news articles


Etsu Nupe, others order Bello to divorce 82 wives
The Punch, Nigeria - 2 hours ago
... the country on Thursday ordered a preacher with 86 wives, Mallam Abubakar Bello, to divorce 82 of his wives or vacate the Bida Emirate within two days. ...
Divorce 82 wives or leave Nupe land - Monarch tells man with 86 wives Nigerian Tribune
all 2 news articles


NASA

Powerful Cosmic Collision Creates Divorce of Matter
Space.com - Aug 27, 2008
By SPACE.com Staff A violent merger between two galaxy clusters appears to have split ordinary matter from dark matter. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and ...
Dark matter and normal matter 'divorce' in cosmic clash New Scientist (subscription)
all 70 news articles


Andhara files for divorce
Jakarta Post, Indonesia - 3 hours ago
JAKARTA: Model-cum-actress Andhara Early, playmate for the first edition of Indonesian Playboy magazine, has filed for divorce against Cesa David Lukmansyah ...


Dane Denies Split From Gayheart
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 9 hours ago
Rumors that the couple were headed for divorce after four years of marriage surfaced last week, but Dane is keen to end them. He says, "Our marriage is ...


ABC News

Hilary Duff's dad sent to jail
Canada.com, Canada - 9 hours ago
During his on-going divorce hearing, Bob Duff was found to have violated an injunction against selling assets without court approval and was led away in ...
Hilary Duff Dad Thrown in Jail TransWorldNews (press release)
Father of Hilary Duff Sentenced to Jail Over Cash for the Star's ... AceShowbiz
Hilary Duff’s Parents in Bitter Divorce Battle TheCelebrityCafe.com
The Associated Press - E! Online
all 320 news articles


Court to hear divorce case of two minors
Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia - 5 hours ago
By Abdulaziz Al-Rubai’ and Suha Al-Orabi TAIF – The controversial divorce case of two minor girls trapped in “an invalid trade-off marriage” to two ...


BBC News

James Bond star George Lazenby denies allegations he assaulted his ...
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Aug 27, 2008
By Catherine Elsworth in Los Angeles Mr Lazenby is fighting a bitter divorce case with his most recent wife, the tennis champion Pam Shriver, ...
Bond actor denies beating up first wife Scotsman
Former Bond Denies Allegations of Assault Against First Wife TheCelebrityCafe.com
Bond star denies assault claims BBC News
The Press Association - Oneindia
all 109 news articles


Statute of limitations on divorce?
Alameda Times-Star, CA - 8 minutes ago
DEAR MISS MANNERS: On a job application or any application, when does one check the divorce box versus the single one? I say you're divorced for one year ...

Divorce - Google News

home | site map buy zune zune movies comprar zune
© 2006