Starting Over After DivorceStarting over after divorce can seem overwhelming. Not only do you have to adjust to the anger and hurt from a marriage that didn't work, but you also have to learn how to function as a single person again. The following questions deal with some of the fears and emotions that go along with this transition in your life:
I'm terrified of being alone and starting over Adrienne's Question: My husband has continuously told me throughout our 4 year marriage that he doesn't want to be with me and that I am horrible to live with. I feel that he is exceptionally unreasonable and is possibly abusive, even perhaps controlling. He persuaded me to dramatically reduce my work schedule, and I have become financially dependent on him. He is now starting divorce proceedings and has left our home. I am terrified of being alone, supporting myself and finding a new home. I am an emotional wreck and am finding it difficult to accept that he wants a divorce and that I'll have to start a new life. I don't want any of this chaos. Help. Gloria's Answer: You may not want any of the chaos, but the truth is, you are in the midst of it anyway, and I want to encourage you that you can get through this! And that is my challenge for you - take some time to reflect on the truth . . . Were you truly "horrible to live with"? If not, throw it out. If so, how would you like to learn and grow from that? Was he abusive and controlling? Either way, reconcile to the truth of it, and move on. And take some time to figure out why you are so afraid to be alone. It sounds to me like at one time you did have a good job that brought in money. You gave it up for a time. But the truth is you have the power and the experience to go back and get another job. You can begin to work again, stand on your own two feet, and begin to remember the strong and amazing woman you are. Hold to the truth in all of these things for the truth will set you free! » Return to top What are the chances of starting a healthy relationship? Janet's Question: After 21 years, my husband left our marriage for a woman at work (12 years younger than me). She and her three kids are now living with my ex. What is the percentage of success for situation like this? At 43, what is the likelihood that I will find a healthy relationship for myself? I am in the process of healing and dealing with the emotional scars of a evil divorce process. Gloria's Answer: Your ex's situation and who he is with now has nothing to do with your chances for healing and success. NONE! A divorce is very difficult, but you can get through it, and you can begin to rebuild a life of your choosing that is filled with love and joy at any age! I can remember when I was faced with the very question you are asking yourself. Will I be alone forever? I'm a Mom to 4 kids and soon to be 40. Who in their right mind would love me AND all that comes with me?? . . .But it didn't take too long to find a crazy guy who tells me that he fell in love with who I am first, and the rest just didn't matter any more. Janet, you can be anyone you want to be. You can attract the
perfect man for you. You can be strong and beautiful, in shape, and
confident. When you are at your best, loving yourself and taking
wonderfully great care of yourself, you are irresistibly attractive,
and the rest falls into place - be it with a man or without! La Tarsha's Question: How do I start to rebuild my self image and self esteem following a divorce? Gloria's Answer: There are lots of way! So, I'll throw out
a few options and you can decide which one or which combination is a good fit
for you. My ex is trying to make me feel guilty Cindy's Question: I got divorced last year and I just found out that my ex was cheating. His affair led to the divorce, but he blamed me for everything. Now the other woman has moved in, and he still has not told my teenaged children about her (but they know). I am so angry. I was married 22 years and he cheated on me at least three times. Now I feel so stupid, and he continues to hurt and lie to us on a continuous basis. Is it wrong for me to stop all communication with him? My kids are 17 &18 and I feel they can now talk for themselves, but he makes me feel guilty. Please help. I need to get over this so I can mourn and move on. Gloria's Answer: Hi, Cindy. You do have a lot of things mixed up together in here, so let's see if we can sort it out a bit and support you to move on well. It often does get confusing when we try to sort through what to tell the kids, so let's begin there. When it comes to the kiddos, I would encourage you to stop trying to convince them that your ex was/is a scumbag who cheated on you many times, and the divorce was not your fault. It really doesn't matter any more. The kids don't care! They only want to know that both of you love them, and they are going to be okay. The other factor is the other woman. Your kids have to see her, and have to accept her as part of their life for as long as the relationship lasts. It doesn't help them to know "the truth" about her, and the real truth is, as you have said, they already know. But again, in their minds, it doesn't really matter. It doesn't support them to dislike this new woman or hold a grudge against her. It only makes their life harder. So, by letting go of the past and all of the anger that is attached with it, you can begin to deal with the present. The current lies that are being passed around, if any, can be dealt with by simply holding open the door of communication with your kids. When they come to you with questions, you can answer them simply and honestly, and always with their best interests at heart. Lastly, your ex has no power over you anymore, so stop giving it away! He has no power to make you feel guilty, tell you what you should do or say, or create conflict between you and your kids. Hold to the truth of that, begin to live more fully in the present, and begin to move on. Keep it simple! » Return to top I want to move, but feel guilty about leaving my family behind Rhonda's Question: I am getting divorced, and it should be final any day now. I have met another man that I am deeply in love with, and we are planning on moving in together. He lives in another state, and I'm have having a Real problem with leaving my daughter and grandson. They have lived with me since he was 3 months old, and every time I think of leaving them I have a "breakdown". I realize that I can't live my life through my daughter and grandson-but sometimes the pain is unbearable. My grandson is the love of my life, and I feel like I will be abandoning them. I want to be with my partner, but am having a hard time letting go of my family. How do I do it? Gloria's Answer: Here is a truth for you to hold on to - If it is good for you, it is good for your daughter and grandson. I think where the pain is coming from is in thinking too small. You are thinking about the day after you leave and not necessarily the year or five years after you leave. Let me paint a new picture for you . . . What if . . . because you leave, your daughter begins to feel the joy and exhilaration that comes because she is maturing and being responsible for herself and her son. What if . . . because you have left, your daughter begins to develop a deeper and stronger relationship with her son because you aren't there and her son runs to her more often when he is hurting or needs something. What if . . . because you have left, you can plan special visits with your family where they can now experience new things in a new place. What if . . . because you have left and are taking such wonderfully good care of yourself with a man who adores you, you have so much more love to give to your daughter and grandson when you do talk with them on the phone or see them. What if . . . because you took this chance and moved, you are setting the example for you daughter and grandson to take a few risks, enjoy life, and not be afraid to change things for the better! Think about the possibility that by you taking care of yourself and moving away, you are also creating a whole new space for your family to do the same. The dynamics of your relationships will change, but in reality, that may not be a bad thing either. Remember - You aren't dying, you are just moving!! » Return to top
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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