Divorce is a tough transition, even if it’s amicable. You’re going to be starting a whole new life, and while there are exciting opportunities, there are also going to be difficulties. Because of this, it’s very important to take care of your mental health during your divorce. This will help you start your new life in a good place and allow you to keep a clear head as you make major decisions with the help of your family law attorney.
As you go through your divorce, keep the following tips in mind to safeguard your well-being.
Talk to Someone
A divorce is a loss, even in the best-case scenarios. It’s the loss of a partnership, loss of what your life once was, and the loss of what you thought your life would be in the future. Because of this, many people go through a process, not unlike the grieving one.
Seeking support from a mental health professional can help you gain objective insight into what’s happening now and what your future could be. You’ll be able to talk to someone who is impartial and won’t judge. Of course, talking to trusted family and friends can help, too, but be sure you’re talking to a person you can really trust. Anything negative you may say that gets back to your spouse could make the divorce process more difficult than it needs to be.
Mind Your Money
Divorce almost always has an impact on the spouses’ financial circumstances. If you had health insurance through your spouse, for example, you will likely now have to pay out of pocket or find an insurance plan on your own. You’re also going from a two-household income to one, which means you’ll likely have to cut back for now, especially if you were not working full time before.
Make a budget based on your income as it will be after the divorce. Don’t include spousal or child support projections; things do happen, and there’s always a chance your spouse will be unable to pay. Use this budget to see where you can make cuts to ease any financial stress you may be facing after the divorce. If you might need another job, now is the time to start looking. By preparing yourself for the financial snags created by your divorce, you’ll be in a better position to navigate those unfamiliar waters.
Keep Yourself Focused
It can be hard to focus on other areas of your life when you are going through a divorce, but your divorce cannot and should not become your sole focus in life. If it does, you will find it more difficult to move on once it’s finalized, and it could impact your personal relationships and your job.
If you find the divorce seems to be occupying way more space in your life than it should, work on focusing on other tasks. When you are at work and find your attention drifting to the divorce, re-focus your thoughts on what you are doing. The same thing goes for your free time, too! When you’re spending time with family and friends, focus on what you are doing and not on your divorce. Enjoying yourself during this time is important.
Even under the best of circumstances, divorce is a difficult time in many people’s lives. This is why attending to your mental health during the proceedings is so important. Talk it out when you need to, plan ahead for your financial needs, and keep yourself engaged in your everyday life to protect your mental well-being as you move onto this new phase in your life.