Divorce Advice for Women: 10 Things To Always Carry In Your Purse

I love purses. I just do. I always have. I love shopping for purses, I love having different purses to match different outfits, and I love the fact that purses don’t come in sizes and your purse can make your outfit, no matter how bloated you feel on any certain day. I would highly recommend that anyone getting divorced should buy themselves a really great purse that they love. I know it seems trivial, but trust me, you can’t go wrong! Furthermore,  I have some divorce advice for women that has to do with purses.

Here are 10 things that women going through a divorce should carry in your purse:

1.    Business cards:

You never know where you could be when you meet someone who could really make a difference in your life. You could be in line at Chipotle, or in Walgreens or at your child’s school, and you could start talking business with someone.

Any conversation could lead to a job opportunity, a great connection, and yes, a date. A visual (meaning a card with your company name and number) is a much more powerful way for someone to remember you and follow up than exchanging numbers on each other’s iPhones. Furthermore, if you aren’t presently working, get a business card anyway! It’s easy to create one online and it doesn’t cost a lot.

2.    Courage:

Divorce is scary, especially at the beginning. I remember feeling very alone in the world and unsure of my future, both financially and emotionally. Keep some courage in your bag at all times. Remember in The Wizard of Oz when the wizard gave the cowardly lion the medal to give him courage?

If you need to do the same, carry an old medal or something that symbolizes how courage helped you win something in your life. It could be from sports, or it could be an old sales ranking report where you are in the top 10%. Anything to help you believe in your ability and your worth. With the item in your purse, roll your shoulders back, take a deep breath and forge ahead.

 3.    Photos of your children:

I know you have them on your phone, but there is nothing more powerful than looking at an actual photo of the people you love most in your life. If you are nervous about something, look at a picture of your kids. Hold it in your hand. Grip it tightly. If you are sad, if you are angry or you feel your divorce is unfair, hold the picture. Basically, any negative feelings can be neutralized by seeing the faces that give your life the most meaning.

 4.    A copy of the last page of your divorce decree:

This divorce advice is in regards to women just after the divorce is final. During the months/years following your divorce, you might be asked to produce proof of your divorce via the last page of your divorce decree. It will come in handy when changing your name on accounts, changing beneficiaries and more.

After I changed my name back, many, many companies asked for this document. It will make things so much easier if you just have it on you. Plus, emotionally, it’s empowering to carry something that signifies that you survived your divorce and are moving on. I do realize you can take a photo of the decree and mark it as a favorite on your phone, so that would be fine too.

 5.    Faith:

One of the most important things you need to carry with you: a symbol of faith and belief in God. It is beyond powerful. I believe there is a big difference between religion and spirituality. You don’t have to go to church or temple to feel the power of God. Talk to Him. Pray to Him, and believe. It will make a difference. Wear a cross for awhile, or a Jewish star, or carry a Hamsa or another symbol of your faith. If you ever feel alone, remember that you are not, because God is always with you.

6.    Dental floss:

Not just divorce advice for women, but advice for ALL women (and me!), you need to carry dental floss in your purse! If you are out at a business lunch, do you really want to be picking out that piece of lettuce between your two front teeth with a toothpick?

7.    Acceptance:

The difference between those who get over their divorce and those who don’t lies in acceptance. It’s not easy, but acceptance is the key to a happy post-divorce life.  It’s awful that it happened to you, but it did. So, accept what you have, focus on your new life, which will only get better and better with time. One night during my divorce (when I was confused and not sure if I was doing the right thing) I made a list of the reasons why I needed to get divorced. Consider doing the same and then carrying that list around in your purse.

8.    Tissues:

You can buy an eight pack of travel size tissues at CVS for $2.49 and it will be the best $2.49 you ever spent! With divorce comes lots of crying (unfortunately), and lots of crying from other divorced women you might meet. Always good to be prepared.

9.    Lipstick:  

I truly do not think people understand the power of lipstick. Call me superficial, but wearing lipstick improves your life! Lipstick makes people feel pretty, which carries over into self-confidence and a better mood. Then, people they encounter are nicer because the lipstick wearer is giving off such a better vibe. Trust me. The best divorce advice for women I can give is, you owe it to yourself to carry lipstick.That might seem shallow to some, but I disagree. It’s not so much what lipstick does on the outside, but on the inside.

10. Self-love:

Love yourself. Please. You deserve it. How do you get more self-love? These ways: Treat others with kindness, forgive yourself for your mistakes, do the best job you can every day, don’t blame others for your mistakes, accept your part in the end of your marriage, and most importantly, take pride in who you are authentically. How do you carry self-love in your purse? Maybe put a photo of yourself in your purse that you love, or a photo of you doing something you are really, really proud of, or a photo of you and your parents. But, don’t just carry your self-love in your purse, carry it in your heart.

Like this article? Check out, “9 Signs of a Healthy Romantic Relationship”

Editor-in-chief: Jackie Pilossoph

Jackie Pilossoph is the Founder of Divorced Girl Smiling, the media company that connects people facing with divorce to trusted, vetted divorce professionals. Pilossoph is a former NBC affiliate television journalist and Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press features reporter. Her syndicated column, Love Essentially was published in the Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press and Tribune owned publications for 7 1/2 years. Pilossoph holds a Masters degree in journalism from Boston University. Learn more at: DivorcedGirlSmiling.com