divorce and heartbreak

What I Realized About Divorce And Heartbreak When I Slipped On Ice…And Then Slipped Again

Divorce and heartbreak go hand in hand. Anyone who has ever experienced divorce has experienced heartbreak. There is no avoiding it. There just isn’t. I can tell you firsthand that heartbreak is exhausting. Kind of like the winters in Chicago. If you live here or somewhere else in the Midwest, you get it. I know…you … Read more

bad divorce advice

10 Pieces Of Really Bad Divorce Advice

While I was going through my divorce and dating after divorce, I received all kinds of divorce advice. Some made sense, some didn’t seem to make sense, and some I didn’t agree with at all. In other words, I got some really bad divorce advice from some people. During the past several years, (the time … Read more

going through a divorce

Going Through A Divorce? A Word That Will Keep You Out of The Garbage Chute

“Daddy, I want it now!” whined Veruca Salt throughout the 1971 classic film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. I often wondered why Salt couldn’t wait a day and just ask her dad to give Mr. Wonka a call to talk about the golden goose. If she’d have just had some PATIENCE and enjoyed the … Read more

working on myself

I Am Working On Myself: The Best Thing a Divorced Person Can Say!

I seriously want to hug the woman who sent me the e-mail below! Like almost every newly separated person, she is fearful of the unknown, sad, in a way, and lonely. But, she ends her e-mail with, “I am working on myself.” Wow. This is the best thing she can say and do right now. … Read more

coping with divorce

Coping with Divorce: The Times You Feel Like You Just Got Punched

Have you ever done a kickboxing class? I’d highly recommend it as a tool for coping with divorce. When I was getting divorced several years ago, punching air or punching a bag really did it for me. It helped me get out all my anger, frustration, and even sadness. Punching made me feel strong and … Read more

starting over after divorce at 50

Starting Over after Divorce at 50 or any age? One Word Matters

When I was a young mom–married with a toddler and a baby, I remember times when all I wanted was to be alone. I would fantasize about escaping to a desert island where I could lie on the beach all day hear nothing but the sound of the ocean. That’s not to say I didn’t … Read more

ex-husband has a girlfriend

Why It’s So Infuriating When The Ex-Husband Has A Girlfriend

I can’t speak for every divorce,  but what I see so often in newly separated couples is pretty common:  the ex-husband has a girlfriend soon after the couple decides to get divorced and/or separates.  Regardless of who wanted the divorce, the guy usually ends up in a relationship right away. I know I’m generalizing, so … Read more

my ex is getting remarried and it hurts

My Ex Is Getting Married And It Hurts Like Hell. How To Handle It

My ex is getting married and it hurts like hell!! That’s what I wanted to shout several years ago when I found out my ex was engaged. Not because I wanted to get back together with him, but because of many other emotions stirring around in my head. I don’t care how much time has … Read more

my husband left me for another woman

My Husband Left Me For Another Woman. Guess What? He’s Not Blissful

Several years ago, one of my best girlfriends called me. Through tears, she said, “My husband left me for another woman.” It was horrible. I could not have felt worse for her. She had been happily married (or so she thought) for over two decades, and was unearthed by her husband asking for a divorce, … Read more

how to survive divorce

How To Survive Divorce: 15 Tips To Getting Through It

From a recently separated reader:  I’m going through a divorce after 21 years of marriage and want to know how to survive divorce. Will I survive? I felt strong until we sold our house and I actually moved out. I’m sick, sad, and very depressed. I don’t know who I am without him and I … Read more

peace after divorce

Want Peace After Divorce? One Thing Will Truly Help

Are you looking for peace after divorce? Of course you are! Who wouldn’t be? So why do some people achieve peace after divorce and some people stay stuck in a place of frustration, anger, bitterness; in a state of war, with others and with themselves? In my opinion, the different lies in one word: Self-awareness. … Read more

how to start a separation

How to Start a Separation: My “To-Do” List

Read the e-mail I received from a woman wondering how to start a separation. I felt like the best way to give her advice was to give her a “To-do list.” Hi Jackie, Today’s been a rough day–my husband just told me (after 14 years of marriage) that he plans to leave me after he’s … Read more