In our last post, we began a discussion about altering one’s perception of the divorce process in order to see the positive opportunities it provides instead of simply the stresses it tends to inspire. There is absolutely nothing wrong with feeling and reacting to divorce-related stresses. However, it is also important to keep the positive aspects of the process in mind while navigating the present and preparing for the future. This perspective shift can help you gather strength and wisdom from this transitional period in your life.
For example, you may be struggling with a kind of loneliness that often accompanies divorcing a spouse. It is both normal and healthy to feel this challenging emotion. However, if you are willing to both process your grief and see the unexpected upside of your loneliness, you may be able to see some inspiration wrapped in this loneliness. After all, an unexpected upside of being lonely without your spouse’s company is that your free time is now yours to spend in any way you wish.
Your life is now yours to construct without taking your spouse’s preferences into account. If you want to binge-watch your favorite program, you don’t have to first check and see if he or she wants to watch it too. You can take classes and go to bed when you please… and you can sleep diagonally on the bed while you do!
Every negative emotion and situation associated with divorce has an unexpected upside to it. However, for better and for worse, you have to be willing to see that upside and embrace it if that upside is to do you any good at all.
Source: The Huffington Post, “12 Unexpectedly Wonderful Things About Life After Divorce,” Brittany Wong, June 2, 2015