Depending on the circumstances surrounding a Maryland divorce, it’s possible for one spouse to be more shocked than the other. The spouse who didn’t it coming often struggles with mental and emotional turmoil in the weeks and months following the divorce. The good news is that there are steps that you can take to help yourself heal afterwards.
Be gracious to yourself
Experts agree that the immediate aftermath of a divorce is the “acute phase.” During this time, you likely feel shocked, hurt, angry and any other number of emotions. During this phase, be gracious to yourself, allowing yourself the time needed to process your emotions in a healthy way.
Adjusting to your new normal
The second phase of divorce grief is acceptance. When you’ve finally accepted the fact that your spouse filed for a divorce, you can accept the change, and move into the next phase of your life. During this phase, many experts recommend joining a support group for divorcees, which allows you to connect with others facing the same issues.
Developing healing practices
It’s not uncommon for divorcees to blame themselves for the dissolution of their marriage. Even if you were at least partially to blame for your marriage ending, experts recommend establishing certain practices that promote healing in your life. These practices include:
- Finding three things to be grateful for each day
- Adopting or purchasing a pet
- Exercising daily
- Picking up a hobby such as gardening or painting
Whether you’re blindsided by the end of your marriage, or you had an idea that things were ending, it may feel like the hurt is never going to go away. Fortunately, that’s not the case. The natural grieving process that follows a divorce takes time, but there are steps that you can take to help yourself heal in preparation for your next chapter.