Life has a tendency to take many unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes you find yourself facing the ending of your marriage. As you mourn the closing of this chapter of your life, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed and anxious about the divorce process. While you cope with challenging and complex emotions, you will also have to make significant decisions about issues impacting your finances, housing situation, child custody, and more. However, there are many small actions you can take that can help ease this transition, allowing you to concentrate on getting through the process as smoothly as possible so that you can move on with your life.
Invest in Your Self-Care
During times of stress, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. While you are busy focusing on making weighty external decisions, you may forget to exercise, eat nutritious foods, or connect with your loved ones. Of course, so much of your time will be consumed by navigating the divorce process while you still hold down a job and run your household, but try to find ways of building in small moments of self-care. Grab coffee with a trusted friend—whether you unload your worries onto this person or simply laugh together, enjoying 30 minutes of social connection will leave you feeling lighter. Instead of reaching for take-out night after night, carve out an hour on a Sunday afternoon to prepare a few simple meals that you can eat throughout the week. Take your dog for a walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or go for a jog to rid yourself of pent-up frustration—all of these activities will boost your mood and give you the fuel you need to make it through the divorce process.
Communicate Calmly and Openly
As you deal with the fallout of your marriage, tensions can run high, and you can find it extremely difficult to communicate with your ex without screaming. Whenever you can, take a few steps back, breathe deeply, and then communicate in a neutral and efficient manner—no need to be overly communicative. Remember that you do not need to respond to a call, text, email, or verbal comment immediately. Instead, let a bit of time pass before you respond, giving yourself the space you need to calm down and compose your thoughts. The more you and your soon-to-be-ex are able to navigate the divorce in a cool and civil manner, the less likely it is that you’ll end up in a lengthy and costly courtroom showdown.
Educate Yourselves on Your Options
The more time and effort you put into exploring your divorce options, the more empowered you will feel throughout the process. While many people assume that a divorce requires couples to appear in court, there are many other options for finalizing your divorce. For instance, seeking a mediation or a collaborative divorce allows divorcing couples to avoid the courtroom altogether, saving a lot of time, money, and stress. It is also extremely helpful to meet with a knowledgeable and experienced divorce attorney who can help you understand your options. No matter what option you end up choosing, keep in mind that you will eventually move through this process and be able to move forward and onto a new life chapter.
If you’d like to learn more about your divorce options in Washington State, reach out to Stanley A. Kempner Jr. Attorney at Law today at (509) 309-8126.