Some life experiences can be painful, including divorce – and this is true even when you’re the person who requested the divorce.
If you have decided to file for divorce, you should be ready for a lot of complex, difficult emotions to surface throughout the process. Here are three potential reasons why:
It represents loss
Not only does divorce represent the loss of a marriage, but also a life you thought you would live forever. It’s scary to think the dreams you once had are coming to an end. Comfort yourself with the certain knowledge that you are freeing yourself (and your spouse) to find real happiness in the future – something that wouldn’t be possible if you stayed married now.
It can make you angry
Another reason divorce can be painful is that it can be associated with anger. If your spouse broke your trust, pushing you to the point of filing for divorce, you may naturally be angry at them. This anger can affect every aspect of your life. Therapy may help you cope with your feelings and find a constructive, healthy outlet.
It can involve guilt
Divorce guilt can make the process painful. You may feel guilty for not giving the marriage another chance or changing your kids’ perception of family. You may also regret the mistakes you made during the marriage. It helps to accept that you did your best, and that’s all you can do. Whatever mistakes were made on your end can be turned into learning experiences and a chance for growth.
These three factors can make a divorce painful. It will be best to get legal guidance to make informed decisions when going through a divorce.