Seven Things Divorced Women Can Do To Move On In A Healthy Way
Being recently divorced can be difficult to come to terms with. It can be a big adjustment, and you may experience a variety of intense emotions. You might even still feel like you’re married in some ways, and this can make it difficult to move on with your love life. If you’re having trouble getting over your ex-spouse and moving on from divorce, this is understandable, but there are steps you can take to help you move forward. Here, we’ll explore seven approaches divorced women can try to help you move past your marriage in a healthy way.
Seven things divorced women can do to move on
Give yourself time to heal
Healing from a divorce can take time, even if you know that you wanted the divorce and know that you don’t want to be with your former spouse. This person was a significant part of your life, and regardless of the circumstances, that can take time to get over.
You might be very used to spending most of your time around your ex-spouse, and you might mourn the end of the relationship and the loss of the future you may have envisioned together. Try to be patient with yourself and give yourself a bit of time so that you can process everything that has happened.
Put away constant reminders
It can also be difficult to have things around your house that constantly remind you of your ex-spouse. If you see their clothes in the closet, photos of you two on the wall, or souvenirs from trips together around the house, that may bring up strong memories that you’d prefer not to relive. Seeing all these reminders of your ex can make it difficult to focus on the present and all that lies ahead.
You can decide what works best for you; you may want to get rid of these items altogether, or you may wish to store them away so that they are out of sight. There may also be some reminders that you’d like to keep around, and that’s alright, too. It just may be helpful to consider how seeing these items affects you and what set up works best for your healing.
Learn to love your independence
A divorce can be a big adjustment, but you may find that some of the changes feel very positive for you. Being married is a big commitment, and when you get divorced, you may discover a new appreciation for your independence.
This new level of independence can be very liberating. You may be able to spend more time with friends, and you can focus on pursuits that you may have abandoned in the past to focus on your marriage. You can try getting to know yourself better, investing in yourself, and doing things that you enjoy. If there were things that you felt you couldn’t do or didn’t have time for while married, this can be a great time to try them.
Get active
As you try to move on after divorce, it may also be helpful to pour your energy into something physical. Exercise has a wide range of mental and physical health benefits, including improving mood, boosting energy, promoting better sleep, and decreasing the risk of a range of health problems. It may also help you to feel more confident.
You can try to get into a new exercise routine, and then do your best to stick to it. Some may decide to sign up for yoga classes, and others take up jogging. You can pick an exercise style that will be fun for you while still giving you a good workout.
Try a new hobby
Hobbies can be really satisfying, and they can help you to use your energy in a positive way. Much like exercising, hobbies can give you something enjoyable that you can spend time on. There are many different types of hobbies, and you might even find that you’ll become very passionate about the one you choose. Whether you choose to learn how to make jewelry or if you want to learn a martial art, it can be fun to have a hobby.
Some hobbies can also be social, which can allow you to get out more and meet new people. Consider hobbies that might interest you, and you can feel free to experiment until you find something you really like.
Spend more time with friends
Many people end up losing touch with old friends after getting married, or at least spending much less time with them than they used to. This may be especially true if you were stuck in a bad marriage. Reconnecting with old friends can help you to find yourself again and feel loved and supported.
While it may be tempting to withdraw or spend time alone when going through a hard time, research shows the incredible importance of friendship. So, as you are trying to move forward from a divorce, try to cultivate strong connections with new and old friends—it can have many benefits.
Try dating again when you’re ready
Finding a new romantic partner is not something you have to do, but it can be nice if you are interested and ready to try to find a new romantic connection. There is no set timeline for when to start dating again after divorce, so you can determine what feels right to you. But, whenever you’re ready, you may find that putting yourself out there, meeting new people, and forming new connections allows you to focus on your present and future, rather than dwelling on your past.
Divorced dating isn’t always easy, but you can take things at the pace that works for you. You may decide that you’d like to date casually and take it slow before jumping into something serious, or you may meet someone you feel strongly about very quickly. It may also be helpful to reflect on what you are looking for, pulling in lessons learned from your past relationship.
Online therapy can help
In addition to these seven approaches, online therapy can also be helpful when you’re moving on from divorce. You might want some support as you process your emotions or cope with the unique challenges and concerns that a big life change like divorce can often bring. Research shows online therapy to be an effective option for a range of concerns, including self-esteem and empowerment.
As you cope with the emotions of a recent divorce, there may be times when you feel sad, frustrated, exhausted, or overwhelmed, and the prospect of traveling to an appointment can feel daunting. With online therapy, you can meet with your therapist wherever you have internet, including the comfort of your own home.
Takeaway
If you are a newly divorced woman, moving on after divorce can be challenging, but there are things you can try to help you navigate through this process. For instance, it may help to give yourself time to heal, get active, try a new hobby, and spend more time with friends. For additional support, you can connect with a licensed therapist online for help.
What does divorce do to a woman?
Divorce can be incredibly distressing and difficult for anyone facing it for the first time, especially when other factors like family and children come into the mix. Some research also suggests that divorce is associated with increased risk of anxiety and depression. So, it can be important to take care of your mental health if you are going through a divorce, especially if you’ve experienced abuse in your marriage. Know that help is available and that your emotions matter: you can meet with an online therapist for support. That said, divorce can affect different people differently, and people can absolutely overcome the initial pain of divorce, begin again, and go on to be much happier. In fact, sometimes going through a divorce is exactly what a person needs to reach their most fulfilled, peaceful, and confident self so that someday, they can be proud of themselves again.
What should a woman do after a divorce?
After you’ve gone through all the legal proceedings of divorce and things are officially finalized, it can be hard to know what to do with yourself. Removing yourself from a relationship, even with a partner or ex-husband who wasn’t a great partner, is a major life change. Many may find it helpful to establish a strong support system from other women with the same experience as they go through a divorce to help offset this. People who have gone through a divorce might also find it helpful to focus on themselves in any way they can – pursue hobbies, practice self-care, join support groups for healing, or pick up something that’s been neglected for years. Many re-find themselves after divorce and feel that they live more authentic lives — no longer afraid to embrace every moment of being single, accept what they once imagined about themselves in terms of their dream career, and discover that there’s more to the other side than what it seemed before the divorce.
How long does it take for a woman to get over a divorce?
For many divorced women, it can take years to fully move on, while others are ready to move forward even before the divorce is finalized. Factors that may affect the length of time to fully move on from divorce can include support from family members, the willingness to adjust to a new life, and influence from married friends.
How does divorce change a woman?
Many divorced women see it as the start of a new chapter in their lives —a time for healing, self-awareness, and self-love. It can transform women into becoming a new person, giving them hope to meet new people who can change their world for the better.
How do I restart my life after divorce?
There are many ways to restart life after divorce. Many women start with rediscovering their passion and chasing their dream job. Some divorced women move with their parents to get a hand in taking care of the children and then focus on looking for a job, so they can have a better life.
Other ways to begin again after divorce can include focusing on your self-care. Treat yourself to a good spa or things you haven’t tried before. Forget the things you used to do with your ex-husband.
Take a walk or go shopping during the weekend. Or spend the weekend watching movies or having dinner with your best friends to make life less lonely. Try to rebuild your career, make a new living, and just focus on your kids.
Who moves on faster after divorce?
Divorced women often move on at different paces. Some may struggle with being lonely and emotional, and still think about their ex-husband while others just fight and start living in the moment, realizing life is better without their abusive ex-husband.
It depends on the mindset and willingness to embrace a new life after divorce, even the first few feel like the room is empty.
Does the pain of divorce ever go away?
Yes. Although many women move on at different paces, the pain eventually disappears. Many women came to a point where they thought they could never move on, but over time, they thought about their ex-husband less and less. If the pain is unbearable, don’t hesitate to speak with a therapist and make room for healing.
How do I move on when my husband leaves me?
The thought of your husband leaving you can be challenging enough but if it happens, know that you can still move. It’s normal to feel emotional since nothing is wrong with it. Acknowledge that the thought of being an abandoned wife may hurt but maybe this is the perfect time to try things you've never done before as a wife. Own a car, book an amazing vacation, have dinner with friends, make room for changes, and start living a life you never had before. Pay more attention to your needs and get a sense of yourself. If you have kids, try to focus on taking care of them.
How do I accept that my marriage is over?
As a human being who has experienced love, ending a marriage might be difficult. However, it could be the best thing that can happen in your life. Many divorced women view it as an opportunity to forget the past and start a new journey.
Accept that you can afford to let go of something that no longer serves you well. Start living a life you never thought possible. Who knows? This could be a chance to chase that career, buy a new car, and embrace new adventures with yourself or your kids — all the things you wished you had before. Have faith because life is amazing.
How do you let go of someone you love?
To let go of someone you love, pay attention to your well-being—it's normal, and nothing is wrong with letting go, even if you're a mother. Embrace the benefits of living alone, have faith in yourself, and know that life can still be amazing. Moreover, remember that many divorced women were able to successfully let go, so you too can do it.
How do you survive the pain of divorce?
To survive the pain of divorce, first acknowledge that nothing is wrong with being divorced. It also means acceptance and that, for most marriages, it's okay for divorced women to take the time needed to heal.
How do I rebuild my life after my divorce at 50?
To rebuild your life after 50, try to have another woman as a role model. If she’s able to rebuild her life after divorce, you too can. She's proof that it's possible.
So, try to face yourself in the mirror and talk to the other woman in the reflection. Tell her, she’s brilliant. She’s capable of anything. She’s stronger than she ever thought. She’s amazing and she’s finding happiness in her own way at 50.
How does one find happiness again after a divorce?
Divorced women can find happiness after divorce in many ways, such as pursuing new hobbies and focusing on self-care.
Why is the divorce process more difficult for a woman?
The divorce process is more difficult for a woman because it's the woman who often carries the emotional weight. She's not only dealing with the end of a relationship, but she's also facing uncertainties.
Why is it so difficult to move on after a divorce?
You may ask yourself why it’s so difficult to move on after divorce, but then you look at another woman and see that she’s fine. She’s okay and she’s doing better, and you realize she’s found strength in her journey. She’s learned to embrace major life changes, showing you that you too can thrive. Know that many divorced women have faced difficulties after divorce, but they've learned to cope and move forward. You can do it too.
What are the best things divorced women can do to move on?
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