Surviving the Holidays After a Divorce

 Posted on December 13, 2013 in Divorce

The holiday season is full of activity and good cheer as people head out to numerous gatherings with family and friends. For people who have recently divorced, however, this season can lead to feelings of alienation, isolation, and loneliness as they try to cope with the realities of being surrounded by loving couples at parties and gatherings. Others may be strained financially due to the legal costs of the divorce process and feeling stressed about buying gifts.

It does not have to be that way, however. According to Forbes, the stigma that once accompanied divorce has all but disappeared. Almost everyone knows someone who has divorced or is filing for divorce, and most people understand both the feelings of relief and the grief as well as the financial strain that can accompany the life change. Instead of lamenting over your single status this holiday season, consider celebrating this chance to start over instead.

There are a number of ways you can keep your spirits up during the holidays. One of the easiest is by finding ways to fill your time. Don’t avoid getting together with friends and family members just because you are newly single. Make arrangements to spend some time with other single or divorced friends, and spend time with supportive family members. If your spouse ended up with many of your household goods, consider throwing a holiday divorce shower. Create a registry for items you now need for your household and when someone asks how they can help, let them know about it. For divorced parents who find themselves without their children, consider using the kid-free time to take a grown up holiday vacation or some other activity that isn’t necessarily kid-friendly.

Dealing with a divorce during the holidays doesn’t have to be an isolating experience. If you or someone you know is considering filing for divorce, contact a qualified Illinois divorce attorney today. We can help ensure that the process goes smoothly and help you mitigate the financial strain that sometimes accompanies divorce.