Regretting DivorceSome people find themselves regretting divorce, wondering if their decision to end the marriage was made in haste. The following questions touch on this subject.
How do I get over the feelings of regret?
Angie's Question: I was the one who asked for the divorce and the day he signed the papers, I regretted it. I couldn't swallow my pride and ask him to come back. Now he is going out and I am hurting so bad. He says he still loves me and the other women mean nothing. How do I get over this feeling? Gloria Answers: Living a life of regrets isn't much of a life, so I really want to encourage you to move past this! Let's explore how. First, know for then and now, we all make decisions based on the information and feelings we have at that moment. We could all look back and say wistfully, "If only I knew then what I know now . . ." But the truth is, we don't know everything, and we do the best that we can. Think back to the reasons you filed in the first place. What were you thinking and feeling THEN that spurred on your decision. Second, make a decision on what you want to do now. Do you want him back? Then go for it! If not, let him go and move on with your life, too. Take your eyes off of him dating, and start dating yourself. Take some time to rediscover who you are now, and be that beautiful attractive woman for whomever you choose to have in your life going forward. No regrets. » Return to top It's been three years and I still regret the divorce Virginia's Question: I was married for twenty years and we had two children together. My daughter is 16 and son 23. He drank a lot during our marriage, went into an AA program, and during the program had an affair. I told him I wanted a divorce. Now I regret it because it's been 3 years and I still can't get over the divorce. He found someone else, they are living together and he says he is happier then he ever has been (which hurts even more). I am in DivoceCare, go to Church and believe in God. I have days where I am OK, but I think of the time I spent with him and it hurts. I consider myself an intelligent person, so why can't I get over this? Gloria's Answer: Come on, Virginia! You are so much more than this! Where is your faith? Where is your belief that God will take care of you? Where is your memory about a man who was an alcoholic and had an affair with another woman after you stayed faithful to him for so many years? My heart just breaks for beautiful, strong, intelligent women who continue to suffer because they say they still love him. HE is not worth it! YOU deserve to be happy, and you and you alone are keeping that happiness at bay. Your ex-husband has moved on, so let him go and wish him well. Then get real with yourself about who you are and the role you want to play in your own life. You've got a 16 year old daughter who is watching you. Do you want her to grow up thinking it is okay to put up with all that you tolerated for so many years? Wouldn't you like for her to pick a man who loves her and stays faithful to her, and have enough respect for herself to leave if he chooses otherwise? Would you like for her to suffer like you have been over someone who is not worth it? Stop all of this now. Stand up for yourself and your daughter by being the role model she needs by showing her how strong and resourceful you are. You are not a martyr or a victim here, so stop acting like one. » Return to top Will I ever love my new husband like I loved my ex? Cyndi's Question: After my divorce, I met and married a wonderful man who loves me very much. He tries so hard to make me happy, but I feel like I'll never be as comfortable, connected or love him as much as I loved my ex. We don't seem to have that "best friend" quality that my ex and I had. Truthfully, I still miss my ex in a lot of ways, especially the friendship, although we did have some major problems in our marriage. I WANT so badly to truly connect with my new husband. He deserves more than this, but my feelings get in the way of that. I can't seem to get rid of these feelings for my ex no matter what I do. My husband is unaware of all these feelings because I truly do not want to hurt him. I treat him as if none of these feelings exist, and I suffer it silently. How do I get over my ex, and devote my whole heart and all my love to my wonderful, deserving husband? Can I ever truly love him? I pray often for this to happen. Gloria's Answer: What a wonderful question, Cyndi, that so many men and women face after divorce. For some, that next relationship is all that the first wasn't. But for others that had really wonderful and great times in their first marriages, it just isn't the same. And the truth is - it isn't the same and it never will be! You are two different people in a completely new and different relationship. And the beauty of it is that you can begin now to design and create this new relationship to look like whatever you want it to. So many times, we believe that relationships and feelings just happen somehow spontaneously, and while sometimes they do, many times it takes work to get it where you truly want it to be. First, you've got to begin sharing your honest feelings with your husband. How can you possibly expect to feel connected with him when you are holding back such a major part of yourself? In essence, you are lying to him behind a false smile, and then frustrating yourself that you don't feel the same way. It's time to open up, be vulnerable, and share. Now, that is not to say that you begin comparing him to your ex or even bringing your ex up in the conversation. I would challenge you to share what you truly want NOW with your husband - connection, fun, laughter, joy, dreams, excitement, spontaneity, passion, and whatever else you want. Then ask him what he wants. Maybe there is something missing for him, too, but he doesn't know how to tell you. Then brainstorm on ways that you can begin to create all of those things between the two of you. I'm never one for settling for mediocrity, and I hold true for that in marriage, too. Instead of praying that these feelings would magically appear, get off your knees, and begin to put some action behind them. Create some situations and activities that will give you new experiences together that will undoubtedly create new feelings, new connections, an unbreakable bond that will continue to grow, expand, and last a lifetime. » Return to top
Related Articles: Gloria Swardenski is a life and business coach, professional speaker, and author of "Got 90 Seconds? Quick Quotes and Notes to Encourage and Inspire". For more information about Gloria, visit her website at www.GloriaCoach.com Information about coping with divorce in the "Ask Gloria" section of this website is for general purposes only, and not a substitute for professional counseling. Divorce
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