Are You Registered?
M. David Johnson - Denver Divorce Lawyer
So your divorce is final. Now what? Do you celebrate? Go on a vacation? Jump into dating? Hit the gym 7 days a week?
How about registering at Saks or Neiman Marcus for your post-decree reception gifts?
Following a divorce you need emotional support and solid cooping mechanisms in place to start life over again - but you may also need a new toaster, iron, artwork, or a living room couch. The economic realities are that new divorcees are likely to start with less than half of all the personal property, income and assets they had before the marriage deteriorated and will need to quickly re-acquire these items in order to sustain some degree of functionality or quality of life.
One novel way of reacquiring the personal property necessities is to have a divorce party, register yourself at a few local stores for the items you’ve lost in the divorce and send out invitations to all the family and friends who’ve been looking for a way to help support you. Whether or not they’re able to attend your divorce party, these folks can help start you off on your new life. Targeted generosity like this let you start over with the gifts you need and gives your support group a means to provide direct and useful help. Be sure to hit up your lawyer for gifts too.
And while you’re asking for toasters, shower mats and picture frames, why not also ask for a year long gym membership, a few personal training sessions, or a month long membership to a local yoga studio? Starting life over also means striking a new, and healthy, balance. Start planning for the personal growth now.
The end of the divorce process is a conflicted time for most people. It’s sad, scary, and final. At the same time, many new divorcees also feel excited, reborn, and energized about a different kind of future. This internal conflict is completely natural and originates from a fear of the unknown, something we all suffer from to one degree or another. Recognizing that fear, embracing it, and choosing positive cooping mechanisms both during and after your divorce can help you move forward in a positive and sustainable way.
