Divorce can be a complicated process for anyone involved. While it’s common, divorce hits everyone differently, and most people struggle to accept the end of their marriage. This is especially true if it’s your first marriage. According to Divorce Statistics, almost 45% of first marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. Most people find themselves lost and spiraling out of control emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially.
Getting your life together after a divorce takes courage and determination. According to a study by the University of Wisconsin, divorce mainly hits women harder financially. The study found that women experience a 20% decline in their standard of living after a divorce, while men experience a 10% increase. Here’s what to do to help you get back on your feet after divorce.
Find a Job as Soon as Possible
That is if you don’t have one already. This may seem like an uphill task, especially if you have been a stay-at-home mother. However, it’s important to remember that you don’t have the financial support you had when you were married. You need at least one source of income or more if you have children. There are many resources that can help you find a job. You can also rely on your family and friends to help you find a job that fits your needs.
Work on a Budget
Starting over means having new expenses. A budget helps you prepare for unexpected expenses and avoid overspending. Now that you live alone, you’re solely responsible for your bills and other needs. This helps you stay financially stable as you care for other emotional and psychological needs. List what you need every month and allocate money for those items. Don’t forget to set money aside for self-care.
Invest in Yourself
Divorce causes people to shut off, and many lose their jobs due to poor performance. Others lose interest and end up staying in the same position longer than they should. To avoid this, put more time into your career. Instead of spending hours thinking about what could be done right, put that energy and time into improving yourself.
It’s the perfect distraction from thinking about divorce. Research courses you can take to improve yourself and start applying for projects that can lead to promotion. With so many remote opportunities, you can take a few part-time jobs to keep yourself busy. According to the latest data, about 25% of all professional jobs will be completely remote by the end of this year.
Seek Help
It’s not easy going through a divorce, no matter how peaceful it is. There will be moments when you need someone to speak to and confide in. This can be a family member or a close friend. Your family and friends know you won’t be okay for some time and will take time to be as close to you as possible. Mental health can be tricky to navigate during divorce, so if you need counselling, there’s nothing wrong with reaching out. It’s common for sexual health to take a hit too, with women experiencing irregular periods and men suffering from erectile dysfunction. These conditions are usually caused by stress and lack of self-confidence, but they’re easily treated. An ED Clinic West Palm Beach, for example, is just one place you can go if you’re struggling with erection issues, whilst the contraceptive pill can help to reset your period, or simply stop it whilst you’re recovering.
Choose New Hobbies and Friends
A divorce is often a wake-up call that lets you know who and what needs to be in your life and what needs to stay away from. You have to do a little detox of friends, hobbies, and other things that matter in your life. In most cases, when you change your hobbies, you will likely create new friends. Also, just being divorced takes you on a different journey where you need to look at things from different perspectives and choose what works for you.
Spend More Time Alone
If you have just left an abusive spouse, the best you can do for yourself is love yourself more. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than one in three women and one in four men in the U.S. experience some form of domestic violence. Learn to love yourself by spending more time with yourself. Learn to do things alone and spend more time by yourself. Take yourself out, start new projects, and just find a sense of purpose. In short, do things that bring life and make you feel happy. For instance, if you enjoy cooking, get some new recipes and whip up something delicious for yourself. Or, if you’re looking to pamper yourself, small acts like using a brow growth serum can be a gentle reminder to care for yourself and embrace your natural beauty.
A divorce is not a death sentence. You can get back on your feet after divorce with a little effort, courage, and determination. Instead of mourning and stressing about a dead relationship, work on starting a fresh journey. Focus on yourself and what matters to you most, like your children.