newly separated

The Newly Separated Get Unexpected Gifts

When I was newly separated, a few people sent me cards, which I appreciated, and a couple people actually got me gifts! I remember laughing while opening up a little lipstick pouch given to me by a girlfriend, and thinking, ‘She’s giving me a lipstick case as a small hint that if I want to … Read more

pain of divorce

The Brutal Pain Of Divorce And 7 Reasons You Will End Up Happy

I cannot describe how heartbreaking I feel when I read comments on Divorced Girl Smiling like this one, that unveil the brutal pain of divorce:   How do you shake the “never want to wake up” feeling? I’m so miserable. Every single day is pain and I just want to give up.   Before I … Read more

I am angry with God

I Am Angry With God About My Divorce

Read this email I received from a newly separated mom, who says, “I am angry with God about my divorce.”   I find myself completely hopeless and I am angry with God about my divorce.  My 3rd husband, for whom I left my 2nd husband just could not handle being a stepfather and hated my … Read more

recently separated

Inside the Mind of a Recently Separated 40 Something Woman

It’s pretty common for a recently separated woman to drop at least 10 pounds pretty quickly. Think about it. She gets upset and is unable to eat frequently, she’s stressed about the unknown, the attorney fees, and how her children are doing. She might be thinking she has to go back to work. She doesn’t … Read more

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

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

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

benefits of having a dog

What are the Emotional Benefits of Having a Dog after Divorce?

There are so many emotional benefits of having a dog, especially during or after divorce, and that’s what I’d like to share in this article.  Believe me when I tell you that I was never a dog person. I didn’t dislike dogs, but other than a casual “courtesy pet” when I saw my friends’ dogs, … Read more