separated but living in the same house

Separated But Living In The Same House…And Sleeping In The Same Bed

 When a couple decides to separate, there are so many factors involved in what comes next. There are couples in which one person decides to move out immediately. There are couples who sell the house and both find new residences. And, there are couples who are separated but living in the same house.   There … Read more

newly separated

The Newly Separated Get Unexpected Gifts

When I was newly separated, a few people sent me cards, which I appreciated, and a couple people actually got me gifts! I remember laughing while opening up a little lipstick pouch given to me by a girlfriend, and thinking, ‘She’s giving me a lipstick case as a small hint that if I want to … Read more

why couldn't he change for me

Why Couldn’t He Change For Me? We Have Answers

One of the most difficult, frustrating aspects of a break up or a divorce is seeing the other person become involved with someone else, and not only appearing to be blissfully happy, but seemingly being the perfect spouse! It’s crazy, it’s infuriating, and  it’s hard to comprehend. Now he’s doing all these things with this … Read more

pain of divorce

The Brutal Pain Of Divorce And 7 Reasons You Will End Up Happy

I cannot describe how heartbreaking I feel when I read comments on Divorced Girl Smiling like this one, that unveil the brutal pain of divorce:   How do you shake the “never want to wake up” feeling? I’m so miserable. Every single day is pain and I just want to give up.   Before I … Read more

I am angry with God

I Am Angry With God About My Divorce

Read this email I received from a newly separated mom, who says, “I am angry with God about my divorce.”   I find myself completely hopeless and I am angry with God about my divorce.  My 3rd husband, for whom I left my 2nd husband just could not handle being a stepfather and hated my … Read more

recently separated

Inside the Mind of a Recently Separated 40 Something Woman

It’s pretty common for a recently separated woman to drop at least 10 pounds pretty quickly. Think about it. She gets upset and is unable to eat frequently, she’s stressed about the unknown, the attorney fees, and how her children are doing. She might be thinking she has to go back to work. She doesn’t … Read more

divorce and heartbreak

What I Realized About Divorce And Heartbreak When I Slipped On Ice…And Then Slipped Again

Divorce and heartbreak go hand in hand. Anyone who has ever experienced divorce has experienced heartbreak. There is no avoiding it. There just isn’t. I can tell you firsthand that heartbreak is exhausting. Kind of like the winters in Chicago. If you live here or somewhere else in the Midwest, you get it. I know…you … Read more

bad divorce advice

10 Pieces Of Really Bad Divorce Advice

While I was going through my divorce and dating after divorce, I received all kinds of divorce advice. Some made sense, some didn’t seem to make sense, and some I didn’t agree with at all. In other words, I got some really bad divorce advice from some people. During the past several years, (the time … Read more

going through a divorce

Going Through A Divorce? A Word That Will Keep You Out of The Garbage Chute

“Daddy, I want it now!” whined Veruca Salt throughout the 1971 classic film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. I often wondered why Salt couldn’t wait a day and just ask her dad to give Mr. Wonka a call to talk about the golden goose. If she’d have just had some PATIENCE and enjoyed the … Read more

working on myself

I Am Working On Myself: The Best Thing a Divorced Person Can Say!

I seriously want to hug the woman who sent me the e-mail below! Like almost every newly separated person, she is fearful of the unknown, sad, in a way, and lonely. But, she ends her e-mail with, “I am working on myself.” Wow. This is the best thing she can say and do right now. … Read more

coping with divorce

Coping with Divorce: The Times You Feel Like You Just Got Punched

Have you ever done a kickboxing class? I’d highly recommend it as a tool for coping with divorce. When I was getting divorced several years ago, punching air or punching a bag really did it for me. It helped me get out all my anger, frustration, and even sadness. Punching made me feel strong and … Read more

divorcing

Are you Divorcing? 21 Things You Shouldn’t Give a F*** About

While I was divorcing several years ago, life felt like a roller coaster for awhile. At the beginning, when I was first separated, most days seemed like a mix of chaos, sadness, anger and anxiety. Between my young  children, attorney’s fees, financial concerns, feeling alone and very lonely, and walking on eggshells in between terrible … Read more