Divorce can be an incredibly stressful and lonely time in an individual’s
life. There are a lot of emotions that one can experience: failure, sadness,
relief, fear, confusion, etc. One factor that fuels these emotions is
the change in relationships, not just between you and your spouse, but
also the other people in your life.
It is not uncommon to see your social life change after a
divorce. The friends you once spent time with as a couple might not be the support
you need at this time, and no longer sharing relationships with your ex’s
family can feel isolating. Even though you might feel this way, getting
a divorce does not mean that your social life dies.
Our Irvine divorce attorneys share some ways you can start to rebuild your
social life after a divorce:
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It’s okay to seek comfort – Look to the relationships that have been a source of support and
comfort during difficult times. Foster these relationships and reciprocate
the support you receive. It’s okay to seek support after a divorce,
and doing so does not make you appear like you aren’t “handling
it well.”
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Don’t ignore old friends – Just because you and your spouse have mutual friends (and yes,
all exes share friends), doesn’t mean you should cut them out of
your life. It might not be a good time to hang out, but that doesn’t
mean that you can’t reconnect or keep in touch until it is.
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Make new friends – New friends are also friends that you don’t have to share
with your ex. A divorce is a big event in a person’s life, so you
are going to grow and change afterward. Foster new relationships and learn
more about who you are in this new chapter of your life.
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Don’t purposefully isolate yourself – Some people like to withdraw themselves during difficult times,
but just know that you don’t have to force yourself away from the
world. It is okay to grieve, and it is okay to have emotions, but it is
also okay to be around people that support you and love you.
For more information on divorce and the divorce process,
contact the Center for Mediated Divorce today!