The long-term deterioration of a marriage represents as much stress as anyone can handle. Living in a potentially toxic environment can wear on anybody. For many, divorce is the answer to those problems. However, the legal process and subsequent aftermath can create even more anxiety.
Even the initial announcement to your spouse about your intentions to end the marriage impacts your psychological state. Families change. Allegiances end, particularly from your spouse’s family. To say that the future is uncertain would be an understatement.
Make no mistake about it. Divorce may be a more accepted concept, but certain stigmas remain where people once close to you – particularly in-laws – may cease all communication.
Managing myriad emotions
The sum total of all these scenarios brings high levels of stress. Managing it is essential as you move on to the next chapter of your life, particularly if you have children. Staying cool, calm, and collected is easier said than done.
Guilt is a common feeling, mainly due to the once-held stigma about people who divorce. There will be some who feel that failure is not an option. What they saw was a happy family unit. A shift in that reality starts the blame game by people who knew you were married but didn’t know the actual state of that union.
Those who regret certain decisions they make are not alone. Countless marriages end due to infidelity and poor money management. Some see addiction to drugs or alcohol as creating a significant rift in a marriage. Even more challenging is coming from a home where your parents divorced and you are continuing a “family legacy.”
In the end, forgiveness may be the best chance to move forward, even if others cannot forgive you. You are facing a new life that will present challenges. Staying the course for you and your children is paramount for that all-important next chapter.
