Adjusting to life after divorce

The decision to end a marriage does not come easily.

Although divorce rates in Massachusetts continue to fall, some people find it the best and only solution. Even after signing the papers, emotions and time spent building a life together remain. As you adjust to a new beginning, consider the following to make a fresh start easier.

1. Embrace your own pace

Everyone grieves differently. After years together, you formed a life and bond that will always linger in some way or form. Whether grieving the life you had or the person you initially fell in love with, avoid placing a timeline on your grief. Adapting to a new life requires time and change. Staying focused on yourself and letting yourself feel all of your emotions makes it easier to start your new journey.

2. Explore your interests

Marriage requires compromise and always thinking of another person. During the marriage, you may have let some interests fall to the wayside or avoided exploring new ones due to obligations. Divorce opens the door for you to find happiness in different ways. Additionally, taking on a new hobby or attending a class helps your mental health by giving you something different to focus on.

3. Make a new life plan

From finances to a bucket list, you now have the opportunity to reset your goals and rethink what you want your future to look like. Previously, your future remained tied to another person. Now, you only have to worry about yourself, whether you want to save for a trip you always wanted to take or want to find a new home.

While focusing on yourself may go against your nature, starting a new one requires a new focus and outlook.