To everything, there is a season. If you are recently divorced, your life is in a season of transition. In the course of this journey, embrace change and find the opportunities it presents. It’s a time to let go of bad habits and live a happier, healthier life.
Chances are, you are feeling overwhelmed and emotional. Take this season as an adventure for moving forward. Even if you don’t suffer with bad habits you need to leave behind, you have a “marriage habit” that you need to change. The professionals at Psychology Today explain that you will need to reframe how you see yourself and live your life, especially if you were married for many years.
Begin by recognizing you are a beautiful and wonderful creation. Treasure your magnificence and seek out any long-forgotten talents that may be deeply buried. Make a list of what is wonderful about you and what your special gifts are, and reread your list until you embrace and truly believe in what it says.
Divorce often leaves people with a sense of grieving, and it can help to stay busy. Divert your mind from negative thoughts and engage in activities that are positive. Some simple coping methods can carry you through difficult days. Indulge in something just for you every day — even just ten minutes a day can help. Spend time sipping your favorite coffee or tea, read, breathe, pray and meditate. If you are feeling stressed, try carrying a good book with you wherever you go so you can make a mental “escape” as needed. If you are an animal lover, engaging with a furry companion can help in reducing stress. Some studies show pets can increase confidence, help with achieving goals, lower blood pressure and help you manage stressful situations better. If you don’t have a pet of your own, visit a local shelter and volunteer some time with animals there.
Volunteering in general is good for your well-being. Participating at the shelter is one option; if that isn’t for you, seek an organization you feel passionate about, and do something outside of yourself. It’s good for your mental health, helping to ward off depression and loneliness. It’s also good for your physical health. Harvard Health Publishing explains that a “growing body of evidence suggests that people who give their time to others might also be rewarded with better physical health — including lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.”
Professionals explain that now is an important time to allow your heart to plan your way and set some positive goals for your future. Remember that every day is a fresh start. Bitterness and regrets are binding and keep us from being happy. They are unproductive, negative emotions, and will prevent you from moving forward. Let them go. Embrace positive emotions, like joy, hope, and compassion. Try to look at your life and find laughter; don’t take things too seriously, and see every morning as a clean slate. Establish some dreams and clear space in your life to chase things you enjoy. Ask yourself what your purpose is and pursue it. Stay in the moment instead of dwelling in the past, and be the person God would have you to be, free in Him.
Know that, most importantly, you will make it through this season of life. You might feel like things are out of control. Embrace the opportunity to change and begin anew. Employ coping tools to help you with your stress level, and take some time out for yourself. Put some energy into volunteering, and make plans for your future. This is a new beginning, and you can let go of what was while cherishing what you are becoming.
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Submitted by Caleb Anderson (www.recoveryhope.org).
Chances are, you are feeling overwhelmed and emotional. Take this season as an adventure for moving forward. Even if you don’t suffer with bad habits you need to leave behind, you have a “marriage habit” that you need to change. The professionals at Psychology Today explain that you will need to reframe how you see yourself and live your life, especially if you were married for many years.
Begin by recognizing you are a beautiful and wonderful creation. Treasure your magnificence and seek out any long-forgotten talents that may be deeply buried. Make a list of what is wonderful about you and what your special gifts are, and reread your list until you embrace and truly believe in what it says.
Divorce often leaves people with a sense of grieving, and it can help to stay busy. Divert your mind from negative thoughts and engage in activities that are positive. Some simple coping methods can carry you through difficult days. Indulge in something just for you every day — even just ten minutes a day can help. Spend time sipping your favorite coffee or tea, read, breathe, pray and meditate. If you are feeling stressed, try carrying a good book with you wherever you go so you can make a mental “escape” as needed. If you are an animal lover, engaging with a furry companion can help in reducing stress. Some studies show pets can increase confidence, help with achieving goals, lower blood pressure and help you manage stressful situations better. If you don’t have a pet of your own, visit a local shelter and volunteer some time with animals there.
Volunteering in general is good for your well-being. Participating at the shelter is one option; if that isn’t for you, seek an organization you feel passionate about, and do something outside of yourself. It’s good for your mental health, helping to ward off depression and loneliness. It’s also good for your physical health. Harvard Health Publishing explains that a “growing body of evidence suggests that people who give their time to others might also be rewarded with better physical health — including lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.”
Professionals explain that now is an important time to allow your heart to plan your way and set some positive goals for your future. Remember that every day is a fresh start. Bitterness and regrets are binding and keep us from being happy. They are unproductive, negative emotions, and will prevent you from moving forward. Let them go. Embrace positive emotions, like joy, hope, and compassion. Try to look at your life and find laughter; don’t take things too seriously, and see every morning as a clean slate. Establish some dreams and clear space in your life to chase things you enjoy. Ask yourself what your purpose is and pursue it. Stay in the moment instead of dwelling in the past, and be the person God would have you to be, free in Him.
Know that, most importantly, you will make it through this season of life. You might feel like things are out of control. Embrace the opportunity to change and begin anew. Employ coping tools to help you with your stress level, and take some time out for yourself. Put some energy into volunteering, and make plans for your future. This is a new beginning, and you can let go of what was while cherishing what you are becoming.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitted by Caleb Anderson (www.recoveryhope.org).
