Divorce can provide relief, but it can also be shocking, particularly after you have been in a long-term marriage. For people over the age of 50 in Florida and around the country, the divorce rate has risen significantly. This phenomenon, known as gray divorce, has created a unique set of challenges that people need to overcome so they can move on.
Take care of yourself
With the emotional impact and the many changes resulting from a divorce, it is easy to forget to take care of yourself. However, this should be a priority since you will need both your emotional and physical strength to face the future and begin rebuilding your life. Some of the ways you can take care of yourself include:
- Accepting that you will experience a range of intense emotions, including anger, fear, confusion and grief
- Exercising and keeping active so you can take care of your physical health
- Eating nutritious and balanced meals
- Sleeping enough hours so you can rest
- Meditating or attending therapy to focus on calming yourself
Take care of your finances
Many gray divorces involve marriages where the spouses followed traditional roles. If you were the stay-at-home spouse, you might have been out of the workforce for a long period, perhaps taking care of the children, making it challenging to return due to your skills. Preparing for life after gray divorce means taking control of your finances as well, including:
- Learning about the different types of accounts you might have or need
- Updating your skills to return to the workforce
- Making a realistic budget for your needs post-divorce
- Creating a new retirement plan
A gray divorce can be an opportunity for you to restart and invigorate your life. However, you will need to be forgiving and understating with yourself so you can focus on the future and not the past.