After your divorce is final, the future can seem a little overwhelming. With so many possibilities, it can be easy to get lost and not know where to start in pursuit of your new normal. To figure out what’s next, here are some tips to help you find your “normal” after your divorce.
Focus on your children
No matter what issues you and your former spouse had in your marriage or your divorce proceedings, it is imperative that you both leave your children out of it. Your divorce is causing your kids to face a new normal too, and it can be a very confusing time for them. Work with your former spouse to make sure you’re both effectively co-parenting so your children know what to expect moving forward.
Work on your finances
Going from a dual-income household to a single-income one can be a difficult transition. Develop an in-depth budget that you can easily stick to so you can stay on track. Additionally, it is important to know your individual financial status like what your credit score is, and work to maintain it. This information will be helpful when looking for post-divorce housing should you need to purchase a new home. This way you can determine what home loan you qualify for based on your credit score. You may also need to rely more heavily on credit cards after a divorce, so knowing your score will help keep you in check from overdoing it on credit bills.
Insure yourself
Insurance is crucial regardless of marital status, and you need to make sure that you’re covered no matter what. In the event of an emergency, having proper insurance will help to keep you out of large debt. Probably the most important is health insurance. If you previously had coverage under your former spouse, then you need to look into new options for securing health insurance immediately for yourself. After your health is covered, you should also explore options for life, housing, car, and dental.
Take care of you
Divorce is taxing on your mental, physical, and spiritual health. Even an amicable divorce can take its toll. Make sure that your overall health is one of your top priorities in the aftermath of your divorce. Find a self-care routine that works for you and your needs and stick to it. Even if you feel alright, those negative feelings can still sneak up on you, so it is important that you are proactively doing what you can to take care of yourself.
