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Letting Cooler Heads Prevail
Dealing with divorce is not only relegated to legal procedures and courtroom battles. There’s an emotional component of divorce that should be addressed. Divorce can be incredibly difficult on your emotionally, and trying to manage all that you’re feeling with everything you’re currently dealing with can be a true challenge.
Rather than allow yourself to be overwhelmed by a flood of emotions, consider following these tips to alleviate some of the negativity you’re feeling about your situation.
Acknowledge That Your Feelings Are Real and Valid
First, you shouldn’t let anyone tell you how you should feel about your divorce. It’s very common for people to feel confused, angry, hurt, and sad about a divorce, and feeling those emotions is quite normal. The relationship that you once held in such high regard has deteriorated beyond repair, so feeling sad about this is very much valid.
It is unhealthy to repress your emotions so you can focus on the tasks at hand. Keeping your feelings bottled up can be damaging. It’s okay to grieve at times, and doing so acknowledges that what you’re dealing with and what you’re feeling is very real. It’s the first step to moving forward with your new life.
Make the Choice to Move Forward
Moving forward does happen naturally over time, but making the choice to move forward can help that process go more smoothly. Allowing yourself to hang on to remnants of the past can only cause you to look back and feel those negative emotions once again, bringing you right back to where you started. Make the choice to move forward. This does not negate the memories you have but makes you conscious of what you’re feeling and when. It also allows you to identify your coping mechanisms to combat negativity.
Practice Self-Care
With all of the things that have to be taken care of during a divorce, from paperwork to meetings to court hearings, it can be very easy to forget to take care of your overall physical and mental health. Though you have many commitments to uphold, it is important to maintain a consistent practice of self-care. Ensure that you are eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting adequate amounts of sleep to keep your body in a healthy state.
While taking care of your body can improve your overall mental health, it can also help to establish boundaries regarding what you will and will not engage with during your divorce. For example, if feeling particularly nostalgic of better days, it may be tempting to go look back on family photo albums and begin to wonder where the relationship started to go wrong. This can send you spiraling back down into negativity and harm your mental health. It might be best to set a boundary for yourself to not look at those things now.
Take care of yourself. Your health is the best investment you can make. While this advice sounds simple, it can be a true challenge to do regularly. Make the commitment to research and practice self-care methods that work for you.
Spend Time With Friends and Family
Your circle of close friends and family can make an excellent support group during a divorce. These individuals can listen to you when you need an ear and can help with whatever you might need. However, be careful, to avoid talk that bashes your spouse or begins to take a negative turn; this can be harmful mentally and emotionally and can also hurt your case.
Try Something New
Your mind may be racing all over the place during a divorce. While slowing down can be difficult, one practice that has helped others is engaging in something new, such as a new experience or a new hobby. While it is unwise to spend excessively on something new, taking up a new practice such as journaling or a similar hobby can help you think about something other than your challenging divorce.
Do What’s Best For You
Above all else, you need to take care of yourself in a way that works best for you. You know yourself better than anyone else. If you aren’t sure of what to do or sense yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Do You Need Help With Your Divorce?
Divorce is challenging on all fronts, and the emotions felt during this time can impact your ability to make the best decisions about your future. Because of this, it’s important to speak with an attorney who can help you determine the best course of action.
At Law Office of Alexandra White, PC, we understand how difficult it can be to let go during your divorce, and you might be feeling scared, confused, and alone. Know that you are not alone. We’re here to help.
To schedule a free consultation, call us at (303) 647-4245 or visit us online.