Getting Through the Holidays During a Divorce

With the holidays around the corner, the focus is often on festive events, family traditions, and heartwarming gatherings. If you are going through a divorce during this time, you may feel like there is not much to celebrate. It is common to feel isolated and alone during this process. Unfortunately, the holiday season seems to simply aggravate the situation. Both during and in the aftermath of a divorce, it is important to recognize that you have suffered a loss. Engaging in good self-care practices and managing your expectations will go a long way toward helping you cope at this time of year.

Coping With Divorce

Even in otherwise amicable situations or those in which marital difficulties are longstanding, it is natural to feel a sense of loss when going through a divorce. HelpGuide advises that going through a breakup can turn your whole world upside down while triggering all types of painful emotions. These may include:

Disillusionment over your spouse’s behavior and the fact that your marriage did not work out;

• Fear regarding practical matters, such as where you will live or how you will handle your finances;
• Insecurity over being alone or your ability to find a loving, lasting relationship.

The holidays can serve to aggravate these feelings. Having to attend family gatherings alone, the loss of old traditions, and having to cut back on your gift giving budget are all things that make this time more difficult for people going through a divorce.

Divorce and the Holidays

Good Therapy advises that the pressure to ‘be of good cheer’ at this time of year can be a breeding ground for anger and pent-up resentment. However, it is important to realize that while the holidays present additional obstacles to overcome, divorce is difficult at any time of the year. Follow these tips to help you make it through the weeks ahead:

• Take pressure off yourself to immediately resolve all problems.
• Avoid making major decisions or sweeping changes in your life.
• Give yourself freedom to opt out of certain social events.
• Let close friends and family in on what you are going through.

Our Chicago Divorce Attorneys are Here to Help

As experienced Illinois divorce attorneys, we understand the ways a breakup can impact every area of your life. We provide the trusted guidance and professional legal representation you need during this time. Contact the Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group and request a confidential consultation to see how we can help you today.