{"id":11276,"date":"2022-09-12T13:54:23","date_gmt":"2022-09-12T18:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divorceanswers.com\/?p=11276"},"modified":"2022-09-12T13:54:24","modified_gmt":"2022-09-12T18:54:24","slug":"is-life-better-after-divorce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divorceanswers.com\/is-life-better-after-divorce\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Life Better After Divorce? 10 Points To Consider"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Falling out of love is difficult. Whether the situation is amicable or more complicated, divorce is a major life decision. But is life better after divorce or will you end up regretting your decision? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll go over the possibilities to help you understand if the grass is greener.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. If You\u2019re Reading This Article, You\u2019ve Likely Already Made the Decision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You know it. Google knows it. Your spouse likely knows it as well. We know that divorce is complicated and navigating the unknown often feels overwhelming or even downright terrifying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is life better after divorce? Honestly, it depends. Every situation is unique, but if you stay in an unhappy marriage, life will only be the same as it is right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you took the time to research this issue and look for anecdotes from others, your life is probably about to go through a major change.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you ready to deal with that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternative Reading:<\/strong> Can You Be Happy In An Unhappy Marriage?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Staying \u201cFor The Kids\u201d Might Seem Easier, But It Might Be Damaging In The Long-run<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A surprising number<\/a> of couples report staying in a marriage because they have kids with their spouse. It makes sense\u2013It\u2019s one thing to leave a relationship when it\u2019s just you, but it becomes much more complicated when you add kids to the equation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protecting your children from the negative aspects of life seems noble, but remaining in a marriage simply to keep your kids comfortable is just delaying the inevitable heartbreak and confusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Divorces happen. They complicate matters and take a lot of adjustment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But being the best parent for your child means taking responsibility for your life, working together to co-parent successfully, and demonstrating what a healthy relationship looks like, even if that\u2019s with someone other than their birth parent.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More:<\/strong> Understanding The Psychological Effects of Divorce on Children<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Your Friendships Will Change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your friend group is closely tied to your spouse, you will inevitably lose friends<\/a>. In some cases, that\u2019s not a terrible thing (Did you even really like <\/em>Becky?). Some of the friendships that remain will change, especially if your friends are married with kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your friend group contains you and your spouse you might experience people taking sides and choosing one party over the other. Depending on the reasons for divorce, you might also experience strong reactions and gossip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that your strongest friends will stay by your side. The shake-up of an established social group is inevitable, but those who care about you and your new path will remain in contact, even if the dynamic changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One piece of advice: Be careful speaking ill of your former spouse to mutual friends, especially if the comments you make are deeply personal. The same goes for your kids. Remember that your pain, anger, or sadness isn\u2019t the only point of view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. It\u2019s Important To Find Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The transition from married life to single life comes with several complications. One way to ensure you start living your best possible life post-divorce is to find support. If you don\u2019t have a strong relationship with your family or a strong friendship group, don\u2019t worry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many meet-up groups<\/a> and online communities where you can find support from others who have experienced the same loss. You might also consider finding therapy. Many employers provide low-cost mental health counseling as part of their benefits package. Your insurance provider can also help you find therapists in your network. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life after divorce might seem lonely, but establishing strong relationships or communities will make a big difference in your life after divorce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More:<\/strong> Do Men Regret Divorce?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. It Will Take A While To Feel Better<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You might expect that post-divorce, your life will immediately improve, and in some ways, that\u2019s true. Conflicts arising from cohabitating will be eliminated if you find your place. You might also experience relief in other aspects of your life. You get to begin new adventures, meet new people, and (when you\u2019re ready) try to find love again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don\u2019t expect it to be easy. Many individuals experience shock<\/a> post-divorce while they grieve the ending of a relationship. Much like losing a loved one, grief can creep back in even when you feel you\u2019ve moved past the grieving stage. Go easy on yourself in these moments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, however, you will go a whole day without thinking about the other person. Then days. And then your new life will start to feel normal. Better, even. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Take Time For Self-Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As your life changes post-divorce, remember the importance of taking time to practice self-care. The divorce process can be enormously stressful and time-consuming, and it\u2019s easy to lose yourself in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your life after divorce will be better if you set aside time for yourself. Whether exercising, trying out a new hobby, or simply hanging out on the couch with a good movie, having me-time will allow you to relieve some pressure and focus on your own needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have children, finding time for yourself can be difficult, but self-care can be a family activity. Work on a project, go on a hike together, or have a lazy day around the house. This will help alleviate the complex feelings everyone is having while building relationships and prioritizing your mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. You Will Find Love Again, But There\u2019s No Rush<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One aspect that makes life after divorce better is finding love again. After the pain of ending a relationship passes, you will have the opportunity to experience the joys of new love. First dates, first kisses, and butterflies in your stomach will return. It\u2019s a great and intoxicating feeling, especially after separation and court proceedings related to divorce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While finding your next relationship is an exciting prospect for many, rushing into a new relationship will likely do more harm than good. Take your time getting back out there. Learn more about yourself. Make positive changes as you begin this new phase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Take Time To Make Other Positive Life Changes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting a new chapter is scary. One way to ensure a better life after divorce is by establishing positive habits and routines throughout the transition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Routines do wonders<\/a> for mental and physical health. And you don\u2019t have to commit to running a marathon or embarking on an Eat, Pray, Love-<\/em>like adventure to find yourself. Simple routines, like going for morning or evening walks, setting a consistent bedtime, or even volunteering a few times a month can help create the consistency that improves mental health. Routines you might consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n