How I’m rebuilding my life after a divorce

It’s been a crazy five months in my life. Since my husband asked for a divorce, I’ve had to re-evaluate my life and my priorities and try to figure out how to rebuild. While I don’t have everything figured out yet, I do feel like I’m on the right track. Here’s how I’m working to rebuild my life:

Move to a New Place

The first thing I decided to do after my now-ex-husband asked for a divorce was move to a new town. I moved across the country. Moving to Idaho from the Philadelphia area wasn’t my first choice, but I thought a clean break would help my son and me make our fresh start. Plus, Idaho has the following benefits:

   My family nearby for support

    Lower cost of living

    Smaller population and land area allowing us to settle in and be more involved to help with the transition

I’m fortunate I have the income to allow me to make a big cross-country move and resettle. My career as a freelancer allows me to work from anywhere, so I’m not constrained by geography. Additionally, I am also fortunate I have good credit, so getting a rental in the neighborhood I had my eye on wasn’t a problem.

It’s not always possible to move to a new place, but if you can manage it, a new location can help you adjust your mindset so you can rebuild your life.

Use My Support System

I never thought I’d need a good support system in my life. However, this experience taught me that there is no replacement for having good supporting people around you. I’m grateful for my family — especially my parents — and the friends who helped me.

My support system has been helpful as I bounce ideas off of them for what’s next, as well as get help with my son and use them to get “plugged in” to the local area. I haven’t lived here for 17 years, and a lot has changed. The support system has been a big help.

Look for Community Opportunities

I’ve decided that my new life is going to include community involvement. I’ve joined the local Chamber of Commerce as a business, and I’m volunteering too. Looking for ways to help out in the community also allowed me to meet new people, and feel as though I am participating in something larger than myself. It’s a great help to me as I strive to become someone I want to be.

Change My Outlook

I spent weeks unhappy about the situation and seeing it as a huge setback in my life. While I’m still sad about this change, I’m starting to see it as an opportunity. I would never choose this situation, but I can certainly change my outlook. I’m viewing this as a chance to revamp my finances, overhaul the way I use my time and to provide my son with opportunities he might not have had otherwise.

So far, it’s taken some time, but I feel optimistic about what’s next. And I’m grateful to be in a good position and have the resources that make it all possible.