Going through a marital breakup can be emotionally and psychologically taxing for any person. For men, however, the divorce experience can be especially difficult. Men are typically thought of as resilient, strong and self-reliant. So, if you’re a man who is facing divorce, these societal stigmas can make you feel like you are isolated and alone.
When you experience a challenging life event as a man, you’re often told to man up. You may not feel like you are allowed to talk about your emotions or fully express the pain you are going through for fear that showing emotion may be seen as weakness. It is easy to see why men often struggle more than women during the dissolution of a marriage. If you are a man in Texas who is going through a divorce, what follows may help you get through this process and start a new life full of opportunity.
Grieving is acceptable and necessary
The emotions you experience after divorce can be very similar to the death of a loved one. Just as grief is a normal part of death, the same can be said of divorce. Not only is it acceptable for you to grieve after your divorce, it is a necessary part of the healing process. Accept your loss and take time to sort out all your emotions that came with it. The death of your marriage also means a new life can begin for you.
Dealing with post-divorce depression
Post-divorce depression is common in men and a serious issue that can be dealt with and remedied. Symptoms of depression often include anxiety, gloomy or sad moods for a long period of time, lack of energy and no interest in activities. Being around friends and exercising are two great ways to combat depression. If you experience prolonged depression, it is recommended to speak with a therapist who can help you through this difficult time.
Disconnect from social media
Social media can be very destructive to your mental health during a divorce. For example, if you are constantly browsing your ex-spouse’s social media profiles, you are bound to see something that could derail your healing and break your heart, like pictures of her with another man.
Do yourself a favor and disconnect from social media or unsubscribe from your ex-wife’s social media pages for a while until you feel you are ready to move on.
Forgiveness
Initially, you may find it hard to accept the thought of forgiving your ex-spouse. You can’t force yourself to forgive her, but as time goes on, you will become more willing to do it, either consciously or subconsciously. Harboring resentment will only punish you and prolong your healing. Once you put the past in the past and accept the events that have taken place, you can begin to live a new and happy life.
As you know, divorce is one of the most challenging things you can face in life. Cut yourself some slack, you are not perfect and you will have your bad days. However, maintain an optimistic mindset by remembering that you are in control of your future. For any person who has questions about divorce or is currently going through divorce, there is professional help and support readily available.