How to Find Happiness After Divorce

Your smile will come back

Adjusting to life after divorce takes perseverance to cope with the ups and downs. Your life has changed and now it's up to you to make that a change for the better.
Whether you wanted it or resisted it, a divorce brings major changes to your life. Learning to get back on your feet, re-establish your independence, and to become happy again takes time and effort.

Instructions

1. 

   FINANCES
   Keep a tight rein on your spending as you go through the divorce process. Get used to living on one income. Don't overspend on luxuries to make yourself feel better. You'll only feel worse if you sink into debt.

2. 

   SOCIAL LIFE
   Take up new activities. Take a class, join a club, find a new hobby. If you feel unmotivated, try writing out a list of 100 things you could do. Look over that list and pick out 2 or 3 that really intrigue you. Get started.
   Some couples may distance themselves from you after the divorce. They may fear that your marital unease could infect them or they may feel allegiance to your ex. Look for new friends.

3. 

   LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
   Clear out, refresh. Move the furniture around in your old place or the new one to get a fresh feel. Change it so it is uniquely your own space. Box up and put out of sight any of his/her stuff still cluttering up your place. Return it to your ex if possible. Resist the urge to destroy it in a vindictive moment.

4. 

   ROMANCE
   Allow some time to mourn and think about what went wrong. Once you feel more comfortable with being on your own, jump start your social life. Go to activities where you'll meet other singles. Let your friends know you're ready to meet people. At first you may not really be interested in someone new, but getting out and about will help you quit hankering after the ex or feeling like a reject.

5. 

   HEALTH
   Force yourself to exercise. Find a walking buddy or take a tennis class. It gets you out, but also activates all those endorphins that make you feel better. Think about getting a pet. Having a dog, cat or goldfish that depends on you motivates you to get up and get going.

6. 

   PSYCHOLOGY
   Studies show that divorced people who join support groups recover from the trauma of divorce more quickly. Read some articles and books on divorce. Sorting out what happened, and making sense of it, helps you move on with your life. It gives you some confidence that you won't make that same error again.