Coping with the difficult emotions that often come with divorce

On Behalf of | Aug 26, 2022 | Divorce |

Ask any person who has gone through a marital breakup, and they’ll likely tell you it was one of the most challenging events they’ve ever gone through. Even if you know you’re headed for a divorce, it still has a way of blindsiding you, particularly emotionally. The breakup of a marriage can turn your entire world upside down and trigger all sorts of painful and unsettling emotions. 

Even if the marriage was no good and needed to end, a divorce is often emotionally painful because it is a loss. Marriages begin on a high note of excitement, hopes and dreams for the future. So, when your marriage fails, you will likely experience much disappointment to go along with intense feelings of stress and grief. Here are a few ways you can cope with these challenging emotions and move on with a renewed sense of optimism. 

Grieving is necessary 

Your divorce likely involved multiple losses, and grief is a natural reaction to a loss. Grief can bring about some intense emotions, and you may fear that these emotions will be too much for you to bear. It can seem scary to allow yourself to feel the pain of your losses. Instead of resisting grief, allow yourself plenty of time to properly grieve and fully process what has happened. Grieving is absolutely crucial to the healing process. 

Seek the support of others 

After an emotional breakup, you may want to just be alone and isolate yourself for a while. However, being in isolation will only make things more difficult and prolong healing. There is no need to try to get through this divorce on your own. Reach out to close friends of family members for invaluable support. Those who have been through divorces can be especially helpful. 

Do not neglect self-care 

During this time, it is more important than ever to take care of yourself. The stress and emotional dismay of a divorce will likely leave you physically and mentally vulnerable. Treat getting over a divorce just like you’re getting over a sickness. Make sure to get plenty of rest, reduce workloads and try to minimize other stressors in your life. Also, creating a regular routine of self-care, such as going to the gym or reading uplifting books, can restore structure and normalcy to this time of chaos. 

Get professional help 

Know that you are not alone in this. As long as there are marriages, there will be divorces. In fact, thousands of people in Illinois and across the country will go through a divorce just this year. In this challenging time, it can be helpful to seek the assistance of a legal professional who can help with tough decisions and protect personal rights.