People get divorced for all kinds of reasons. Some may feel like their relationship has fizzled out. Others may be dealing with financial stress or domestic violence and know that it’s time to walk away.
It’s important to take care of your physical and emotional issues while you go through a divorce, and part of that may be to discuss your divorce with your family and friends. When you do this, it’s possible that some relationships may end, become strained or actually strengthen.
Talking about divorce may help you work through your feelings
If you know that you’ll be divorcing, then talking to those closest to you is important. You may be able to work through your feelings while getting their feedback, too.
How much you talk to others about your divorce may vary based on the kind of divorce you’re having. With a litigated divorce, it may be better to keep everything going on with the divorce more private, because you won’t want to do anything that makes it seem like you’re instigating your ex or being too negative towards them.
If you plan to have a no-contest divorce, you might not need to be as private. This is especially true if you and your ex are planning to stay friends or to co-parent, because you’ll want your family and friends to continue to be respectful to your ex-spouse in the future.
To talk to others, set aside time
It’s important to set aside time to specifically bring up the divorce to your loved ones and friends. You want to do it somewhere calmer, like over dinner at home or while you’re relaxing with friends. Some people may be surprised. Others might be hurt or unsure of how their relationships with you and your ex will be in the future.
This is a good time to go over your goals and to help others start to adjust to your separation and divorce. With time, many people will come around to the idea of your divorce and be there to support you. Giving them time to digest what’s happening will help.