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If you and your spouse have decided to divorce, that decision is likely to impact your life in various ways for years to come. However, it is also likely that your divorce will impact your life most significantly during the divorce process itself and in the immediate aftermath of the process. We have previously written about how important it is to take care of yourself physically and emotionally during the divorce process. However, you may understandably be wondering how you can possibly devote energy to self-care when your emotions are so conflicted and depleted at this point in your life.

You may find yourself angry one moment, grief-stricken at another and hopeful the next. Your sense of hope may be mingled with fear and regret. It is completely normal to feel a host of conflicting emotions at this time. It is also normal to feel so raw and emotionally depleted that you have a difficult time moving forward. This is where a strong support system, self-care and introspection come into play.

If you have devoted friends and family, do not hesitate to take them up on offers of help. If you are not in a position to lean on friends and family, consider seeking out a support system online or enlisting the services of a counselor. Leaning on a support system may feel foreign to you, but it is a healthier action than attempting to navigate the emotional aftermath of your divorce alone.

In addition, it is important to understand that your best efforts may look different from day-to-day when it comes to self-care right now. One day, you may eat well, go for a run and meditate. The next day, you may need to binge-watch television and use all your available energy just to shower. As long as you are working towards the best self-care you can give yourself right now, you will almost certainly benefit emotionally from your efforts.

Source: The Huffington Post, “Surviving the Raw Emotions of a Fresh Breakup,” Jackie Pilossoph, March 7, 2015