Divorce is difficult no matter the time of year. However, it can be especially hard and depressing during the holidays. After all, things are far different this year than they were a year ago, even if you know in your heart that this is the best option. Although you might not be feeling like getting into the holiday spirit, there are some things you can do to help you get through the holidays and come out stronger on the other side.
Connect with Family and Friends
One of the best things to do during this time of the year is to reconnect with your loved ones. Spending time with your family, friends, and people you haven’t seen in a few years, etc. can be a great way to keep your mind off of the divorce.
This is a good time to try to overbook your social calendar. Go to holiday parties and gatherings, and spend time with the people you can talk to, and that you trust. Perhaps spend some time hanging out with coworkers, as well. It could be a good time to make some new friends, find a new hobby or return to the one you haven’t enjoyed in a while, and find others who share your interests.
Create New Traditions
Holiday traditions that you had with your ex should go out the window this year. If there were traditions that you didn’t enjoy, you will be glad to get rid of them. If there are some that you did enjoy, now you have the option of enjoying them with other people as you wish. Instead of watching sappy movies for the holidays, watch Die Hard or the new movie Violent Night. Often, though, it’s better to start some new traditions that you can call your own. Figure out what makes you happy and invest your time in those things.
Do Something for Those Less Fortunate
This is one of the best things you can do during the holidays. Even though things are hard for you right now, things are worse for others out there. This isn’t to invalidate your experience and what you are feeling, but instead to put your efforts and energy toward lifting other people up and helping them.
You may find joy volunteering at a soup kitchen, clothing drive, or other local organizations. In the last tip, we talked about traditions-volunteering could be a wonderful new tradition for you to start.
Embrace the Positive Changes
Even though the divorce might still be raw for you, a great way to start to let that wound heal is to focus on the positive changes that it will bring. You and your ex got divorced for a reason… often more than one reason. Now is the time to be thankful that you were able to get out of the marriage when you did. Look at it as a positive. The things that were causing you pain and misery before are no longer going to hold power over you.
Chances are you are going to be dealing with a lot less stress now that the divorce is over. You will have more time to devote to yourself and to become who you want to be… not just part of an unhappy couple.
When you focus on the positive, you will start to find things that you want to do to change and improve your life and yourself. Now is the perfect time to start coming up with New Year’s resolutions.
Focus on the Kids
If you have kids, you can bet they are also struggling to deal with the divorce. Focus on what you can do for them to help them understand that both parents still love them and care about them. Try to make the holidays as good as possible for them, and you will find that you will all be much happier this holiday season.
Talk with an Attorney If You Are Getting a Divorce.
Divorce is a rough time for everyone. If you are freshly divorced, the tips above can help quite a bit. If you are thinking about getting a divorce, get in touch with one of our experienced divorce attorneys. The sooner you do, the better. Contact the legal professionals at Nebraska Legal Group today to learn more about your divorce options and what to do next.