Moving forward with a divorce is a big step. You may have thought long and hard about taking this particular step. Even with that careful planning, at some point you might worry: is this the right choice?
3 steps to help you manage regret
Feeling regret is not uncommon when facing a divorce. However, this feeling can make you question how to move forward. Do you keep going down this path to end your marriage, or turn back?
Here are a few helpful steps to take if regret arises:
- Slow down: Do not let the wide range – and often extreme – emotions you feel during the process of your divorce overwhelm you. You have the room to pause, feel and work through your emotions at your own pace. This still applies if you suddenly feel regretful about this decision. Take your time to work through this emotion.
- Remember, this is normal: Experiencing feelings of guilt and regret is completely normal in a divorce. It is often part of the process of grieving the loss of this relationship that you put a lot of work and time into. On top of that, you may face a lot of uncertainty and change. That anxiety about the future can fuel feelings of regret, and even a longing for the past.
- Evaluate: As mentioned in the first step, you should allow yourself to actually feel your feelings, especially as you work through a divorce. However, it will also be helpful to explore the source of this particular regret you feel. It could stem from grief. In some cases, it could stem from the desire to make things work in your marriage. When you determine where the regret is coming from, then you can determine the next steps you take. It may help to talk with someone, a professional or a friend, to better understand the source of this feeling.
A divorce can be a difficult time, with difficult emotions. Take the time you need to fully understand how you are feeling and how you will move forward. After all, you are the one who holds the power over your own future.