You may believe in the power of positive thinking, but right now you’re positive that you’re totally overwhelmed by your divorce. Your spouse is showing a very ugly side you never suspected was there. Money is tight, so you’re constantly under pressure. Plus, formerly solid friendships seem to have virtually vanished overnight, leaving you without much of a support group.
What can you do to keep your mental health intact and your emotional equilibrium? Consider these tips that can help you cope with the situation:
- Prioritize your time. It’s easy to let your divorce take over your thoughts and occupy all your spare time — but it’s unhealthy. Compartmentalizing your thoughts and emotions may take practice, but it’s honestly the best way to avoid becoming consumed by your divorce.
- Drop a few burdens. It’s okay if you don’t feel like being the room mom or dad at your child’s school this year. It’s also okay if you just don’t have the energy to deal with certain people. If you find that someone you know is simply exhausting or unable to respect your boundaries and stop talking about your divorce, take a break from them.
- Find something new. Your old life is over, so it may be time to find a new hobby, throw yourself into your education or start a new enterprise. It may also be time to branch out and find new friends — or look up some old ones. Having something else to focus on can make dealing with divorce much easier.
- Ask for help. Your loyal friends and family members want to help, but they may not know how. Tell them what you need and ask for their assistance — even if that’s just something like running errands for you, watching your child while you’re in court or going out for coffee so you can talk.
Finally, make sure that you are informed about the divorce process, including what you can expect during negotiation and what happens if you have to go in to court. Your attorney may be your best ally during this time.
