During your divorce, weekend nights can be tough – especially if you and your soon-to-be ex had a habit of going out on the town (or even catching a movie now and then). Like many people who are going through divorce, you might feel like you’re missing something by staying in on the weekends; you might even imagine that your ex is out there living it up while you languish in your pajamas in front of the television.
Saturday Night Alone During Divorce: Are You Missing Anything?
If the child custody agreement you’ve worked out with your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer has you home with the kids on Friday and Saturday nights, you probably have your hands full; if you don’t have children, then you’re a little more likely to feel the pain of staying in.
You don’t have to stay in… but you might not feel up to going out, either. That’s perfectly normal; in fact, giving yourself time alone to grieve is actually healthy. Many people also find that during divorce, they need to stick to a budget, which can put a damper on your social life.
What the Experts Say
Before you can move on from your divorce, you have to accept the way you feel and recognize that it’s okay to be angry, sad or lonely. After all, you spent years with the person you’re divorcing – and divorce is a loss, even if your marriage was “over” long before you talked to a Chapel Hill divorce lawyer.
When you are tempted to go out, you should. As humans, we’re wired to be social; sometimes just being around others in an environment that has nothing to do with your ex can be therapeutic on its own.
It’s often a good idea to ask your attorney if he or she can refer you to a local therapist or counselor who can help you talk through your divorce. Even if you’re having a relatively low-conflict split, you can benefit from talking to a neutral third party.
