How to Recover From Divorce

As a licensed mental health professional, I work with many individuals, couples, and families who are affected by divorce. I have developed this list of survival strategies for people who are experiencing divorce. If you or someone you love is in this situation, I hope these ideas will help you.

1. Take your time as you adjust to your changed life circumstances. Recognize that you are going through a major life transition that cannot be rushed.

2. Set up temporary arrangements to help you get through the changes involved in your divorce process.

3. You will often feel frustrated. Avoid the temptation of acting for the sake of acting just because it gives you a temporary feeling of being in control.

4. When you feel uncomfortable, slow down and identify what you are feeling and why.

5. Don't force any more changes on yourself than are necessary.

6. Explore both the benefits and costs of your new life.

7. Think about the future. In your journal, explore the question, "What is waiting to happen in my life now?"

8. Remember to ask yourself, "What am I supposed to learn from this?"

9. Protect yourself against the inevitable forgetfulness and absent-mindedness which many divorcing people report. Make a list of important account numbers, telephone numbers, and the like, and keep them in a safe place.

10. Watch out for too many changes in your life as you recover from the divorce and the changes in your life circumstances. Change causes stress, and you have enough right now.

11. Let people help you.

? If it's impossible to reciprocate, say so.

? People know that your life isn't like it used to be.

? Don't let your inability to reciprocate prevent you from accepting what people willingly offer.

12. Let go of your need for perfection. You will not survive emotionally unless you lower your expectations.

13. Develop your ability to be flexible and find creative ways to solve problems.

14. Learn to set priorities. Do the most important things first.

15. Trust your gut feelings. Pay attention to your instincts and act on them.

16. Simplify everything in your life. You cannot afford to keep it complicated.

17. Find an outlet for your anger. If a friend is not available, look for a minister, rabbi, or professional counselor. If money is an issue, look for a therapist who will see you for a low fee.

18. Teach yourself to let go of guilt. You don't have time for it and it's not necessary.

19. Focus on issues you have control over. If something is beyond your control, don't waste your emotions on it.

20. Create a ceremony to acknowledge your divorce.

21. Learn to be assertive. You can't say yes to every request, whether it is from your family members or people in the community who want your time and resources. If you give it all away, you will have nothing left for yourself.

22. Find ways to take care of your body. Get regular checkups and make time to exercise. You need rest now more than ever. Watch your alcohol intake.

23. Find someone who will listen to you. Sometimes you have to ask, for example, "I need a sounding board right now. Can I have 15 minutes of your time?"

24. Rent a sad movie and let yourself cry (when the kids aren't around). Crying allows you to release the sadness that you are sure to feel.

25. Do at least one fun thing for yourself every week.

26. In your private journal, make a list of all the things you're afraid of.

27. In your private journal, make a list of all the things you worry about.

If you have children:

28. Manage your own emotions so you will be able to help your child manage his or her struggle.

? Learn as much as you can about how children respond to divorce and life in a single-parent home.

? Do not expect your child to respond the same way you do.

? Take your child's developmental stage into consideration when responding to his or her behavior.

29. Make it okay for your children to talk to you about their feelings.

30. Keep appropriate boundaries.

? Don't give in to the temptation to let your child take care of you.

? Let your children be children.

? Avoid burdening them with your feelings and the facts of the divorce.

? Find another adult to be your sounding board.

31. Even though you may be unable to be present as much as in the past, your children still need adult supervision. Look for ways for other adults to look in on your kids when they are home alone, even when they are teenagers.

32. Just because your child appears to be handling his or her emotions well, don't assume that he or she is okay. Some kids respond to divorce by becoming overly responsible or by closing down their emotions. They may need to hear, "Tell me how you're feeling."

33. While it is important to listen and accept your children's feelings, it is equally important to set limits on behavior.

34. Keep a private journal where you express your feelings. Be sure to keep it in a private place where your children won't find it. A journal provides a place to express anger, sadness, loneliness, and fear-all of those feelings you feel every day as a single parent.

35. Remind yourself that recovering from divorce will take time. Your recovery will happen on its own schedule, and it will happen. You will get through this intact.

36. Get together with other single-parent families. Sharing times with people facing similar issues can make you feel normal.

Garrett Coan is a professional therapist,coach and psychotherapist. His two Northern New Jersey office locations are accessible to individuals who reside in Bergen County, Essex County, Passaic County, Rockland County, and Manhattan. He offers online and telephone coaching and counseling services for those who live at a distance. He can be accessed through http://www.creativecounselors.com or 201-303-4303.

CNET News
Adman puts divorce settlement online in order to look (and feel ...
CNET News, CA - Jul 19, 2008
Now, divorce settlements are being slapped on websites. Gary Dean, a British businessman, who seems to have made quite a lot of money out of advertising, ...
UK tycoon reveals $10m divorce payout online Electric New Paper
Millionaire posts divorce payout online VNUNet.com
Millionaire Posts Divorce Details Sky News
International Herald Tribune - AFPall 49 news articles

Divorce politics from conservation in the Mau Forest eviction debate
Daily Nation, Kenya - 2 hours ago
Regarding the recent report on Mau Forest (Nation, July 17) I think the Rift Valley MPs should divorce politics from the issue. By telling farmers depleting ...

PR Web (press release)
Do I Need to go to Court to Get a divorce? Not Necessarily with ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 22 hours ago
New York divorce lawyer Lisa Beth Older, Esq, announces new emerging divorce, custody, child support adn equitable distribution services in Manhattan or in ...

Divorce case: Meraj moves court again
Times of India, India - 21 hours ago
Manyata's first husband, Md Meraj-ur-Rehman, filed a petition in the high court challenging a sessions court order that had upheld the divorce between them. ...
Manyata's former husband claims order is ‘illegal’ Daily News & Analysis
all 2 news articles

With this fake wife, I divorce thee
Reuters - Jul 18, 2008
KOLKATA, India (Reuters) - An Indian man who took an impersonator to court to get a divorce faces legal action after his real wife found out, lawyers said ...

Indian Man Gets Woman to Impersonate His Wife in Court to Get Divorce
FOXNews - Jul 18, 2008
CALCUTTA, India — An Indian man who had a woman impersonate his wife in court so he could obtain a divorce had the judge fooled — until his real wife of ...

Newsday
Macca throws off his divorce woes for old time rock 'n roll with ...
Daily Mail, UK - Jul 19, 2008
By Daily Mail Reporter Paul McCartney threw off his divorce woes in a celebration of old time rock 'n roll at the 'Last Play at Shea'. ...
Christie Brinkley Catches Ex Billy Joel At Shea Stadium’s Last Show Access Hollywood
Christie Brinkley Attends Ex Billy Joel's Show People Magazine
all 541 news articles

Reuters South Africa
In marriage debate, divorce church from state
First Amendment Center, TN - 19 hours ago
By Charles C. Haynes Suddenly this summer, the reality of same-sex couples lining up to get married in California has led some religious leaders to rethink ...
Video: Voters to Decide Same-sex Marriage in Calif. AssociatedPress
Millions Of Reasons To Celebrate Same-Sex Marriages KTVU.com
Comment by Glen Lavy Senior Counsel, Alliance Defense Fund
all 608 news articles

Family court will halve divorce rates in Kuwait
Kuwait Times, Kuwait - 37 minutes ago
Al-Mirshid said that there are some impediments to the success of the family courts, including a need to amend the current divorce legislation in order to ...

Jailed Tyco chief settles divorce
Calgary Herald,  Canada - Jul 18, 2008
Tyco International Ltd.'s imprisoned former chief, L. Dennis Kozlowski, and his second wife, Karen, reached a divorce settlement almost two years after she ...
Former Tyco head Kozlowski in divorce settlement guardian.co.uk
Former Tyco CEO Kozlowski settles divorce case BusinessWeek
Former Tyco CEO Kozlowski settles divorce case CNNMoney.com
New York Post - The Star-Ledger - NJ.comall 94 news articles

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

How Women Should Protect Themselves Financially Regarding Divorce