With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you may not be feeling in the mood for your usual festivities; after all, if you and your spouse have realized that you are headed for divorce, you may feel as though you don’t have much reason to celebrate. However, while it’s no secret that the divorce process can be difficult, there’s still a lot to be grateful for during this time — and here they are:
Be thankful for change.
A divorce is one of the most significant lifestyle changes you will experience; you may move from living with your partner into a separate address, practice co-parenting, and even get yourself back out on the dating scene again. However, while this may sound daunting — change is incredibly exciting. Change gives you the opportunity — not only to turn a new page — but to start a whole new book. You may make some simple updates — or completely reinvent yourself and start anew. Being allowed to have a fresh start — no matter how mature and established you may be — is definitely something to be thankful for.
It also allows you to focus on the good during this time. Instead of thinking about what you have lost, think about everything you have to gain.
Be thankful for what you have.
When you begin to focus on the good (especially when going through a hard time), it is much easier to be thankful for what you have. While your relationship may be undergoing significant change, there are many things in your life to be grateful for. Many divorced people find that they end up spending more time outdoors and soaking up the sunshine. Take some time for your friends, your family, and your kids. You can even be thankful for the simple things — like the way in which your favorite cup of coffee gets you out of bed in the morning or the person who smiles at you as you cross the street.
If you find it hard to count your blessings, you might benefit from practicing daily affirmations. Each morning, write down a list of good things in your life – or everything that you are thankful for. While it may be hard to get started, once you get into the practice of writing these things down, you’ll soon realize you have a lot more to be thankful for than you may think!
Be thankful for yourself.
In many ways, going through a divorce is a declaration of independence – a sign that you are finally ready to put yourself and your needs first — which is always worth celebrating. It also presents you with the opportunity to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level, as you’ll realize just how important it is to put your needs first, moving forward. You may even find that you’re a different person than you were when you got married — and this can be an opportunity to figure out who that person is.
Be thankful for the respect you share with your partner.
Getting a divorce does not have to mean that you and your partner end up on bad terms — in fact, it often means that you respect each other enough not to let it get to that stage. Furthermore, with plenty of amicable divorce options at your fingertips, you can find a way to divorce as peacefully (and respectfully) as possible. Being able to separate from your partner with no bad blood is certainly something to be thankful for – it saves you time, money, and heartache. It means that you can continue working on your relationship even after you’re divorced. This is particularly important for those who are planning on co-parenting.
In short, no matter how difficult a time may seem, there is always something to be thankful for. Learning how to find the light in the darkness will help you shift your focus away from the negative, changing your mindset forever. It will also help you move forward with the clarity you need. To find out more about how amicable divorce can also help you achieve this peace, get in touch with us today.
