How to Forgive After a Divorce

Although your divorce saddled you with hurt feelings, sadness and bitterness, you'll need to get over those negative feelings of the past in order to enjoy a more positive future. Use the following tactics to forgive after a divorce to get on with your new life.

Instructions

1. Talk to your ex if you're still on friendly terms. Discuss the reasons why the marriage didn't work out, particularly if you weren't the one who asked for the divorce. It will be easier to move on and have peace of mind if you're not spending nights wondering what went wrong.

2. Realize that you tried your best to make the marriage work. You'll be free of guilt if you understand that people can grow out of love or grow apart, especially under the pressures of parenting, work and maintaining a home. After some soul searching, you may also recognize that you were two different people from the start who simply bonded over a physical attraction that faded over time.

3. Reduce the bitterness by reminiscing about the nice times you had together and by concentrating on the positives such as your children, a successful business or a beautiful home you built together, for example.

4. Keep yourself busy with work, travel, a hobby or school and recreational classes to develop new skills. Spend more time with your friends, children and family. Once you get on with your life, get back into your old social circles and develop fun pastimes, you won't be thinking about your ex constantly or have as much time to dwell on the past.