I’m delighted to introduce to you my guest today, Liv of Live By Surprise. Lively Liv as I like to call her 🙂 If you’ve been anywhere on divorce support blogs and sites you’ll likely see her name. She’s full of energy and writing all over the place because everyone wants to know what she thinks…here she is now!

recipe for a new you after divorce

Hello you!  Welcome to the other side. You’ve just come through hell and you’ve made it in (mostly) one piece. I know almost exactly where you’re at – I was there a few years ago.  My divorce shook me right to the core.  The damage was only temporary though. I hitched up my boots and moved on.  And now it’s your turn.

It’s been a while since “you” hasn’t been tangled in a “we” .  Now that you’ve sorted your divorce, you need to figure out who you (as a single woman) are! Whether you’re aware of it or not, a new person is forming inside of you. You need to give her some time to fully cook!

There are some things that you definitely should not do:

  1. Don’t neglect self-care. Make sure you’re up to date on all your vaccinations, you’ve had a full physical. The stress of your divorce was hard for both your body and your spirit. Like a car, you will need to take some time to get an oil change and make sure everything is still OK under the hood.
  2. Don’t feel pressured to “move on”. I know your friends are suggesting that you need to get out.  Or you may feel pressured if your ex has already moved on to his next conquest.  Don’t let it phase you.  If he hasn’t taken the time to get to know himself, that relationship will probably  You’re going to do it right.
  3. Don’t waste time on regrets or grieving. Regrets won’t help you to move forward. Grieving has no timelines – but life does.  So don’t waste your time.  You need to let it all go before you can start the next phase of your life.
  4. Don’t start dating right away. Stay away from dating websites, singles bars, blind dates and especially that cute new guy in your office.  It may be tempting jump right back into the dating pool, but it could result in you repeating old patterns. Take some time to figure out how those patterns started.  And stop them.
  5. Don’t feel guilty about asking for or accepting help. If a neighbour or friend offers to take your kids for a night or make you a meal – accept the offer. Your friend wouldn’t have offered if they didn’t mean it. If you need more serious help – find a mental health professional – or hire a divorce coach. Sometimes talking to someone will help you to figure out where you’re at.

Now that you know what you shouldn’t be doing, you also have some work to do to rebuild your confidence.  Follow these steps to discover the new you!

  1. Make a plan. Divorce can be devastating financially. You need to take stock of where you’re at – and where you want to be. Take time every day to figure out how to get there.  Even if it’s just ten minutes – reaffirming your goals daily is a great way to start becoming the new you.
  2. Treat yourself to the spa and some new clothes. I know – I just talked about financial devastation and in the next breath I’m telling you to splurge. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.  Even a new haircut or a manicure can help you feel fresh and new.  Consider shopping thrift or consignment. It’s a trendy and inexpensive way to refresh your wardrobe.  A new look can help to inspire your new life. Don’t go crazy – you’re not trying to completely blow away who you were. You’re just trying to discover who you’re going to be next.
  3. Find a hobby. Painting, writing, sailing – even travel.  Remember the things that you liked to do before you got married? Take the time to rediscover them – and enjoy them again. Get out of your comfort zone.  Try something that you’ve always wanted to do but never done.  Make yourself a bucket list – and start knocking things off of it.
  4. Spend quality time with your kids. They’re recovering too.  They need to get to know the new you and understand your family’s new circumstances.  Remember they’ll need their own time to grieve.  Share your plan with them.  They can help you to keep accountable for your new life.  They’ll feel more stable if you’ve set out where you’re going.
  5. Take advantage of your non-custodial time. This is your new “you” time.  It will be hard – but don’t focus on missing out on time with your kids.  It doesn’t help them – and it doesn’t help you.  Turn your focus to regaining your confidence.  Date yourself.  Yes!  Go out on your own. Meet new people.  It’s easy to fall back into what’s comfortable – but remember that your ex was comfortable. Start trying to figure out what the “single you” likes – and doesn’t like.
  6. Rebuild your relationship with your ex. I know this may seem counterintuitive – you’ve just gotten rid of him.  If you have kids though, you can’t just walk away. You both need to come understand  your new places in your children’s lives.  Even though you’re hurting, always be kind and act with integrity. Your children will respect you for it.

I know that this all feels raw and uncertain.  It’s going to take some time to regain your confidence and rebuild.  Just keep in mind – it’s easy to get stuck here – and many people do.  But you’re different than they are – you have a flexible attitude and a willing spirit.  The key to your recovery is to commit to growing into your new self.  Don’t rush it.  Stay true to yourself and your values, set a plan and sail into your future!

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Leave a comment for Liv!

14 Comments

  1. Lynne

    March 14, 2016 at 7:56 pm

    A really good solution to handling the situation after a divorce…find yourself…make a new you…understand your children…best pieces of advice…effective!

  2. Recipe for a New You After Divorce - Live By Surprise

    February 18, 2016 at 11:01 am

    […] I discuss these feelings and my advice for the newly divorced today on Lisa Thomson’s website:  A Girl’s Guide to Leaving a Marriage. […]

  3. Marie

    February 18, 2016 at 2:25 am

    Thank you so much for this post Liv. Divorce is still ongoing for me but all should be closed in less than 5 months.
    Your don’ts and your dos are what I needed to read today. I have a hard time balancing my new life as a single mum, thought I am single before day one of baby’s birth.
    I realized a couple of days ago that I did not treat myself enough, like my life is all about work and my boy and family. No free time for me. I know I am the only one to be able to make the change. I’ll keep your precious advices with me and I’ll work through them.

    • Liv

      February 19, 2016 at 5:43 am

      I’m glad to hear it Marie – I’m sure you have a whole support system around you to help – all you need to do is ask.

      And – if I can ask a favor – when (yes I said WHEN) you get through this, make sure that you help someone else along. If people like you and me and Lisa all support each other – the world will definitely be a better place.

      You take care!!

  4. Harleena Singh

    February 17, 2016 at 11:22 pm

    Hi Liv, and welcome to Lisa’s blog 🙂

    I enjoyed your recipe for a new you after divorce, something that would help a lot of people going through the same phase. It’s certainly not easy to go through it all, but these tips can help you get over. Taking care of your inner-self is so essential to rebuild your confidence, isn’t it? Once that’s taken care of, the rest falls in place.

    Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead, both of you 🙂

    • Liv

      February 19, 2016 at 5:42 am

      It is so important to take care of yourself – and a good deal of introspection to come to an acceptance of your present. Nice to meet you Harleena! You have a lovely weekend too!

  5. Jane Thrive

    February 17, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    Great advice, Liv!!! So wonderful seeing you here! 🙂

    • Liv

      February 17, 2016 at 3:40 pm

      Thanks so much Jane!

  6. Stella Chiu

    February 17, 2016 at 12:33 pm

    Hi, lively

    A good list of don’t and do for newly divorces. Some of them are easily to carry out; others may need higher level of discipline.

    I am glad that you are including three points in the list. “Don’t neglect self care” which I believe the most important because people tend to recover faster.
    I agree with you that the “alone time” is essential. Only during that time, you can reflect what are going on inside yourselves.
    For the sake of the children, rebuilding the friendship with EX is the important step of duel family parenting.

    i know this article will benefit many new divorcees

    – Stella Chiu.

    • Liv

      February 17, 2016 at 3:41 pm

      Thanks Stella! I believe that self-care is the most important part of the list. It’s like the airplane – always put your own mask on first.

      Thanks for reading!

  7. Chrys Fey

    February 17, 2016 at 11:30 am

    These are great tips. My sister recently had her divorce finalized and she’s treated herself to getting her nails done, etc.

    • Liv

      February 17, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      And well she should! It’s the little splurges that help get you out and about!

  8. Tamara

    February 17, 2016 at 10:56 am

    Well! Fun seeing a favorite blogger at another favorite blogger’s place.
    I know that even through really rocky parts of marriage, I panic at what I’d do without him. Or without us.
    And I think these tips must be spot on. Self-care. Spas. Getting close to the kids. It’s so healing even on a good day.

    • Liv

      February 17, 2016 at 3:43 pm

      Good advice in general – but especially after divorce! Glad to have you (as always) Tamara!

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