Divorce can be rough on everyone involved, from you and your spouse to your children and even your friends. While you are splitting everything equitably, you may also feel as if your life is falling apart. Protecting yourself physically and financially is important, but those in the middle of a divorce should also be concerned about their emotional health.
Coming out of a divorce with emotions intact is difficult but not impossible if you are aware of what to watch for.
Accept the grief and pain
You may have been fighting with your spouse for years, and the divorce is a long time coming, but it’s still a loss that you must grieve. The more you try to repress the feelings, the harder it will be to process them and let them go.
It’s easy to go into denial and bury feelings that are painful, such as anger and sadness. Face your situation honestly and realistically, and recognize that feeling broken for a time is completely normal.
Watch for signs of depression
While some sadness and grief are normal, you should also be watching for signs that your feelings are leading to something a little more serious. You may be sad and depressed at first, but you should gradually start to feel as if you are moving on. If you feel stuck in a rut for a long period and aren’t sure how to get out, it may be time to seek some professional help.
Surround yourself with support
When painful things happen, many retreat into their own worlds and have a hard time reaching out for help. When you’re getting a divorce, this is the exact opposite of what you want to do. Reach out to those who love you, and find yourself a support network of individuals who are in similar situations. Spend your time with people who energize, value and support you, even when you feel like staying in bed all day.