How to Move On After a Divorce

Marriage counselor Vikki Stark explains seven ways to bounce back from a divorce. Though it certainly takes time for these messages to fully sink in, the earlier you hear them, the better. Here’s what she suggested:

1. Believe that “time heals all:” and know that you will begin to feel better.

2. Accept what happened: understand that the relationship is, in fact, over instead of continuing to work on it.

3. Your partner is now your former partner: he or she now has different concerns, which may not necessarily have to do with you.

4. Know your ex may interpret what happened differently: as Stark states, “the person who leaves often exaggerates any negatives in the relationship to help them feel better.”

5. Realize you may not get the closure you are looking for: your ex may not apologize like you want them to.

6. Change your focus: pay attention to what you are thinking about and worrying about, and try to focus on the future, not the past.

And finally,

7. Celebrate! There are new opportunities that lie ahead, and you never know what can happen.