Divorce With Respect

Recently divorced? Focus on these 4 things this holiday season

On Behalf of | Dec 3, 2015 | English, Family Law, Firm News | 0 comments

This time of year can be immensely challenging for people who are adjusting to life post-divorce. This might be the first year you are attending holiday events alone, without your ex. Or perhaps your kids are spending part of the holiday with their other parent, which means that you won’t see them as much as you want.

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These are very difficult situations to cope with and either scenario can make you feel isolated and lonely. However, there are some things you can do if you find yourself struggling this holiday season.

  1. Talk about your feelings: Find someone that you feel safe expressing your feelings to, whether it is a friend, family member or therapist. Avoid bashing an ex on social media or discussing anything negative in front of the kids- neither will make you feel better and both might come back to haunt you later.
  2. Focus on new traditions: Holiday traditions help people connect with the past and provide comfort in the stability of familiar customs. Post-divorce, thinking of the past might make you feel lost. Instead, try focusing on the fact that you have a unique opportunity to explore new traditions and make new memories, which you can carry into the next chapter of your life. 
  3. Take time for yourself: If you find yourself with free time between visits with the kids or holiday events, turn it into an opportunity to make yourself feel better and have a little fun. Use your free time to schedule a trip with friends, take up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try or buy yourself a treat. 
  4. Avoid dangerous behaviors: Considering the emotional battles you may be fighting during the holiday season, it can be easy to fall into a negative pattern of engaging in risky behaviors. Some people turn to using drugs or alcohol in an effort to ignore or avoid what they’re feeling. However, this can only make an already difficult situation worse. 

As attorneys, we can help you prepare for some of these challenges by discussing holiday visitation plans, resolving financial matters and protecting assets and personal items that have sentimental value.

With legal support and guidance, you can put yourself in a position where this time of year is a little less stressful. For information on our firm and how we can help you approach divorce with a focus on the future, please visit our family law website. 

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