Nurturing yourself after divorce is an essential practice for your healing and well-being. Taking time to help yourself recover mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually is crucial to take your healing journey to the next level.
Bellow are ten steps you can take to cultivate self-compassion and self-nurturing during this painful period. Some of the steps you might have read in other articles that I’ve published, but it’s never enough to reinforce the message and emphasize on the importance of taking these steps, and the benefits you can gain from them.
So here’s what you have to do to help yourself:
- Acknowledge Your Emotions: Allow yourself to feel the range of emotions that arise after divorce: the sadness, anger, fear, guilt or confusion. Recognise that these emotions are valid and very normal. Avoid self-judgement and avoid suppressing those strong emotions; give yourself kindness and understanding instead.
- Practice Self-Care: Prioritise self-care activities that promote your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Engage in activities that you enjoy, such as exercise, walks in nature, practising relaxation techniques such as yoga or breath work, or indulging in hobbies of your preference. Nurturing yourself helps in building resilience and self-compassion.
- Nourish Your Body with Healthy Food: Take care of your physical well-being by nourishing your body with nutritious foods. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet. Drinking enough water and limiting the consumption of processed foods and sugary drinks can also contribute to your overall well-being. You might not be aware of this, but a healthy diet can help you improve your mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Give it a try.
- Practice Mindfulness And Self Awareness: Cultivate mindfulness by bringing your attention to the present moment, without judgement. Notice your thoughts and emotions as they arise, and observe them with kindness and focus. Take walks in nature, spend time alone, do some self-reflection, pray and meditate, play an instrument, do some gardening…anything that keeps you grounded and helps you become in tune with your higher self. Mindfulness helps you develop a compassionate and non-judgemental attitude towards yourself – it helps develop self-love.
- Avoid Negative Self-Talk: Be aware of negative self-talk and replace it with self-compassionate thoughts. Be encouraging and supportive to yourself at this time, treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would to someone you love. Replace self-criticism with positive and empowering words.
- Let Go of Guilt and Regret: Release yourself from any guilt and regret about the past. Understand that everyone makes mistakes, you are no different. Learn from your experiences and use them as opportunities for growth, rather than dwelling on self-blame and self-criticism. Embrace self-acceptance, forgive yourself for any perceived shortcomings, and celebrate your strengths and achievements.
- Seek Emotional Support: Surround yourself with supportive people, who understand your situation and can offer empathy and encouragement. Reach out to family and friends where you can share your feelings and experiences. Having someone that has gone through the same can be comforting and validating, since they can assure you that it’s going to be tough for a while but you will breakthrough and find happiness again.
- Connect with Nature: Spend time in nature to rejuvenate and find solace. Take walks in parks or forests, go hiking, or simply sit in a peaceful outdoor space. Connecting with nature helps soothe your emotions – providing a calming effect and a sense of serenity and peace.
- Seek Pleasure and Joy: Engage in activities that bring you pleasure and joy. This can vary from person to person, but it could involve spending quality time with loved ones, exploring new hobbies, enjoying creative pursuits, watching movies, or engaging in activities that make you laugh and feel alive.
- Set Boundaries and Prioritise Self-Respect: Set up healthy boundaries with your ex-partner, and others involved in your divorce. Prioritise your own well-being and protect your emotional health before anything. Recognise that it’s okay to put your needs first and make choices that favours your self-respect.
Remember, self-compassion is an ongoing practice, and that is what will help you turn your grief to grace. Listen to your needs and desires, and prioritise activities that replenish and restore your energy. Be patient with yourself as you navigate the healing process; treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and love. Remember that you deserve compassion, even more during this challenging time. By taking care of yourself, you lay the foundation for overall well-being and resilience during the healing process after divorce. So commit to a healing and recovery process – break free for real, and heal – my dear friend!