Is it hard for you to fall in love again after divorce?
When we enter into marriage, we never imagine that it will end. After all, you and your spouse took a vow to stay with each other for the rest of your lives. But, life can get in the way of your happily ever after. You and your ex may have had too many fights, infidelity, relocation for work, and more reasons.
As much as divorce hurts, it does not mean that you need to give up on love. There are billions of people in the world who would give anything for the chance to meet you. When you are ready, you just need to put yourself out there and let people in. You will see in time that the right person will be worth it.
Here is a guide on how to open your heart again after a divorce.
Divorce’s Impact on Mental Health
Divorce can change the way we look at life with different effects for men and women. A study from the American Psychological Association said that 69% of women initiate divorce more than men do. For many husbands, it can be a shock to unexpectedly get served divorce papers. The psychological effects of divorce can mean-
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Guilt
- Shame
- Identity crisis
- Substance abuse
Luckily, these symptoms are temporary once you decide to move on. It is, however, a growing concern for those who previously had depression where the episodes could go on for longer.
Men also struggle with divorce because they do not have the emotional support that women have with their peers. Women find it easy to turn to their support system for comfort during this difficult time. But, women have their own struggles with divorce in losing their identity as a wife and finding a new one.
Letting Go of Old Baggage
Now that your divorce has been finalized, you are free to date anyone of your choosing. The question you may be asking yourself is, why have you failed to do so? A major reason for why could be that you no longer trust people. You could be afraid of getting mixed up with another person who lets you down.
In order to move onto a new relationship, you need to let go of the old one. You can start by using your previous relationship as a lesson for the next one. You now know what qualities you do and do not want in a person.
Stop asking questions about what went wrong in your last relationship and start over again for someone new. Maybe your ex was only supposed to be around for a particular time in your life when it was needed. The person you were meant to be with for the rest of your life could be waiting for you.
The Path Towards Self-Healing
Taking the risk towards accepting love back in your life again involves protecting yourself. You can do this by making sure that you never ignore the red flags you see in a person. For example, if this new person is not respecting you when you do not want anything physical yet, this person is not right for you. This is especially true if this new person undermines your appearance, skills, or fails to care for you the way you want. You should not have to settle for the next person who shows interest in you as a way of proving you have moved on.
Once you do find the right person, allow yourself to be vulnerable to them. Open up to them about your thoughts and emotions. Your instincts will tell you if this is the right person to let in your head and your heart.
If you would like to learn more about how to love again, please schedule your first appointment today.
