Life after divorce can be lonely so it is important to be open to finding love again, but you must be ready. Here are 5 things to consider before returning to the dating world after your divorce that will help you gauge whether or not you are ready.
If you are unhappy in your marriage and are contemplating divorce, there are some important things that you should consider doing before even bringing up the dreaded "divorce" word with your spouse. Once this word is mentioned the dynamics of the relationship will significantly change so it should not be uttered lightly.
One thing that I never set out to become is an expert dater. In my youth I was always in long-term serious relationships, but at midlife, I found myself divorced, out in the dating world again, and can safely say I have become somewhat of a reluctant expert. There's no point in developing any expertise, if you don't share it, so that is what I am setting out to do here.
If you are a single mother, like me, it is even more important that you do these things for yourself despite the greater challenges you have to manage as compared to married mothers. You must find time for yourself. Workout, date, find a career you enjoy, spend child-free time with friends. These things are imperative to do if you want to truly thrive, be happy, and be an excellent role model for your children.
If you are considering separation or divorce, or have already started the process, you may want to consider the many advantages offered by a holistic approach to the process. Family law is not suited to the adversarial process that has evolved in our legal system. A holistic approach recognizes that the consequences of divorce and family breakdown are often devastating, and there is lots of healing to be done.
Family Lawyers need to have some of the skills of a social worker, coach or therapist in order to be able to effectively assist clients. While outside referrals to these professionals may always be necessary, I am fortunate in my practice to be able to offer some of these skills and services to clients without them having to go somewhere else to receive them.
What I learned was that online dating was like a beast I had never encountered before. Yes, there are good people on dating sites. Yes, it is possible to meet your prince. However, it is a complete minefield for the deer in the headlights that I was when I first dipped my toe in. Here are some of the lessons that I learned:
