Having a life after divorce may seem difficult to imagine during the early stages. You may feel a combination of emotions such as sadness, depression, and anxiety as well as anger and loneliness. Some days may seem better. Other times, life may feel overwhelming.

Those feelings are normal when recovering from divorce. Just as a train passes through a tunnel to get to the other side of a mountain, those difficult emotions we experience are part of the healing process and are necessary in grieving the loss of something we once had. It is essential to grieve and to feel what we feel.

Three suggestions to keep in mind during this time:

1) Self-Care: Take care of yourself. Make yourself a priority. Don’t skip meals. Keep up your hygiene. Surround yourself with people that can provide support. Seek professional help if necessary.

2) Avoid making big decisions which may impact you financially on a long term basis:  It may be necessary to move, buy a vehicle, purchase furniture, etc. However, be aware of what you are committing to. The emotional upheaval of a loss may lead us to act impulsively—filling the loss with external substitutes. Seek advice from individuals that you trust to ensure you have clarity in your thoughts and decision-making.

3) Stay Close to the Church: Participate in the Services and the Sacraments. The Church is reality—a grounding mechanism, a rhythm to follow in one’s daily life. It is a path that can lead to discovering new meanings, new directions, and True Life.