Coping with divorce is not easy – for anyone.
Although the following points may not sound financial, read them as they are. It’ll make the process much easier!
- Manage your behavior, not theirs
Emotions and tempers can run high during a divorce, leading people to act in ways that may not represent how they truly feel. Whether the other person is being difficult on purpose or as a by-product of feeling hurt, try not to treat them as they are treating you. Otherwise, you are at risk of escalating the situation, ending in a standoff.
Remember that you are not in control of how the other person feels or acts, but you can choose how to behave and respond. Sometimes taking time out can save you from a hasty response that you may regret.
- Expect the unexpected
You may feel that you know your partner completely and can anticipate how they will react to this challenging situation; however, you are in uncharted territory. Hurt and feelings of betrayal can cause people to act in unpredictable and surprising ways.
Before meeting to discuss an important point, take time to think about what you are really hoping for out of the conversation. Note down some points on paper or write them a letter beforehand, explaining what you would like and how the other person’s wellbeing and happiness are equally important.
- Prioritize forgiveness
A divorce can result from one or both partners hurting the other by doing (or not doing) something. As a result, it can be hard to forgive. And yet forgiveness is crucial to moving forward.
Showing forgiveness is not easy. It is a process that will take time and effort and yet will create a more positive future.
- Focusing on a brighter future
The divorce process can seem like a dark and hurtful place. It is vital to remember that one or both parties hopes to leave behind a marriage that has failed for a brighter future, either alone or with someone else.
Imagining a happier future can help see you through this upsetting time. Take time to visualize how you see your future life in three months, six months, or a year from now. What positives are you looking for? What could life be like in a new physical or emotional setting?
Take these thoughts with you while discussing difficult subjects to remind you that coming to an agreement now will improve your chance of a more settled future.
Source = Positive Psychology