Eliza Hartley
Starting over after a divorce can be a chance for personal growth and finding happiness again.
Many women discover that they can rebuild their lives in a way that feels fulfilling and joyful after their marriage ends.
But this change doesn’t happen all at once.
Instead, it involves adopting several positive habits that help women heal emotionally and grow personally.
This article isn’t about quick fixes but about a journey towards a better, happier life.
Let’s look at eight key habits that many women adopt after a divorce to find peace and joy again.
1) Embracing self-love
After a divorce, it’s easy to get tangled up in feelings of guilt, blame, or regret.
However, the women who find peace afterward often focus on self-love.
This isn’t about being selfish or narcissistic.
It’s about acknowledging your self-worth and treating yourself with the same kindness and respect you’d extend to others.
Self-love can be as simple as taking care of your physical health, nurturing your mental well-being, and setting boundaries to ensure your own happiness.
It’s about understanding that you’re deserving of love and respect, from yourself as well as from others.
By embracing self-love, these women are able to reshape their perspectives and open themselves up to new possibilities of joy and peace after divorce.
2) Rediscovering personal passions
I remember when my friend Sarah went through her divorce.
It was a challenging time, as it often is. But I saw her transform through the process, and a big part of that was rediscovering her personal passions.
In her marriage, Sarah had lost touch with things she loved doing – painting, hiking, and even just spending quiet mornings with a good book.
She was so focused on being a wife and a mother that she forgot about being herself.
After her divorce though, Sarah made a conscious decision to reconnect with these lost hobbies.
She started attending painting classes on weekends, planning hiking trips with friends, and setting aside time in the mornings just for reading.
She told me that getting back in touch with these passions reminded her of who she was as an individual – not just as someone’s wife or mother.
I saw her smile more, laugh more, and just become happier overall.
It wasn’t an overnight change, but gradually she became more at peace with herself and her new life.
3) Practicing mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of our thoughts and feelings without distraction or judgment.
Often associated with meditation, mindfulness can actually be practiced in many ways – from mindful eating to mindful walking.
According to some studies, practicing mindfulness can significantly reduce symptoms of stress and depression, common feelings that are experienced after a divorce.
Women who manage to find peace after divorce often incorporate mindfulness into their daily routines.
This helps them stay focused on the present moment and not get lost in past regrets or future anxieties.
4) Seeking professional help
Divorce can be a traumatic experience, and it can be hard to navigate the emotional aftermath alone.
That’s why many women who find joy and peace after divorce don’t hesitate to seek professional help.
Therapists, counselors, and life coaches can provide much-needed support during this tough transition.
They offer an impartial perspective, practical strategies to cope with stress, and a safe space to express feelings without judgment.
Getting professional help isn’t a sign of weakness.
It’s acknowledging that sometimes, we all need a bit of guidance to get through life’s challenges.
5) Cultivating gratitude
In the wake of a divorce, it can sometimes feel like there’s little left to be grateful for.
But the women I’ve seen find peace and joy after their divorces often make a point of cultivating gratitude, even in the smallest things.
Gratitude isn’t about ignoring the pain or pretending everything is fine. It’s about finding the silver linings, the small joys amidst the chaos.
It’s about recognizing that even though life may be tough right now, there are still things to be thankful for.
A simple morning coffee, a child’s laughter, a beautiful sunset – these may seem insignificant, but when appreciated deeply, they can bring immense peace and joy.
6) Embracing change
Change can be scary. When my own marriage ended, I felt like my life had been uprooted.
The future I had imagined was suddenly gone, and everything felt uncertain.
But then I realized that change isn’t always a bad thing. It can be an opportunity for growth, for new experiences, and for discovering parts of yourself you never knew existed.
I started to embrace the change in my life.
I took up a new hobby, moved to a new city, and even changed my career. It wasn’t easy, but it was empowering.
Embracing change is one of the habits that many women adopt after divorce.
Instead of resisting, they learn to go with the flow of life and use the changes as stepping stones toward their new future.
7) Building a support network
No one should have to go through the pain of divorce alone.
That’s why women who find peace and joy after divorce often make a point to build a strong support network.
Friends, family, support groups, online communities – these connections can be invaluable sources of comfort and encouragement during tough times.
They can provide a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or simply a distraction when you need it.
Building a support network isn’t about seeking sympathy or dwelling on the past.
It’s about surrounding yourself with people who uplift you, understand you, and remind you that you’re not alone in your journey.
8) Prioritizing self-care
At the heart of finding peace and joy after divorce is the practice of self-care. It’s about taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Self-care can take many forms.
It might be a relaxing bath at the end of the day, regular exercise, making time for hobbies, or simply ensuring you’re getting enough sleep.
It’s about listening to your body and your mind, and providing what they need to heal and flourish.
Ultimately, each woman’s journey after divorce is unique.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to finding peace and joy. What works for one person might not work for another.
But these habits – self-love, rediscovering passions, mindfulness, seeking professional help, cultivating gratitude, embracing change, building a support network, and prioritizing self-care – have proven to be effective for many.
