10 Useful Tips to Overcome a Tough Divorce + Some of Our Personal Experience
Divorce can be one of the most challenging experiences anyone goes through, impacting almost every part of life, from emotional well-being to financial stability and future relationships.
In this article, as part of our post-wedding advice and tips, we’ll share ten practical, actionable tips to help you navigate this tough period and rebuild a fulfilling life post-divorce.
1. Seek emotional support early on
The emotional weight of divorce can feel overwhelming, so reaching out for support early is essential. Speaking to a counsellor or therapist provides a safe space to process your emotions, helping you make sense of what you’re feeling and giving you tools to manage. You could also reach out to your loved ones that you can confide in at times when you may feel like you’re struggling.
Our Experience: Over the years, as a wedding blogger (for 13 years and counting!) I’ve met couples who said they wished they’d sought help sooner. One bride-turned-divorcee compared avoiding therapy to driving a car with no brakes—messy and dangerous. Another shared how counselling helped her untangle years of resentment and find clarity. It’s incredible how leaning on others can feel like finding a lighthouse in the fog.
Watch this video if you’re going through a divorce:
2. Stay organised with legal and financial matters
Handling the legal and financial aspects of divorce can be daunting, but staying organised can reduce stress in the long run. Consulting with divorce solicitors can help ease the complexity of legal processes, ensuring you make informed decisions and don’t overlook critical details.
Our Experience: A groom once told me that forgetting to review his finances during the divorce left him scrambling to pay for necessities—like realising halfway through a hike that you packed no water. On the flip side, a bride who meticulously documented everything said it gave her peace of mind, making the chaos feel less like a tornado and more like a passing storm.
3. Focus on self-care and future goals
Prioritising small but regular acts of self-care like exercise, nutritious meals, and enough sleep can improve your mood and resilience.
Setting future goals, whether personal, professional, or financial, can help you regain a sense of purpose. Small, achievable goals create positive momentum and remind you that life after divorce can hold new and exciting possibilities.
Watch this to get some more useful tips:
Our Experience: One woman I interviewed turned her post-divorce self-care routine into a full-on reinvention. She laughed, “I went from sad Netflix binges to training for a marathon!” Another groom said picking up guitar lessons not only healed his spirit but also connected him to a new circle of friends. Healing, they taught me, is rarely linear—but it’s always worth the effort.
4. Communicate effectively with your ex-partner
If you need to maintain contact with your ex-partner, particularly if you have children, strive to keep communication respectful and focused. Clear, direct, and unemotional communication reduces misunderstandings and helps you establish healthy boundaries.
Our Experience: A co-parenting couple I spoke with swore by keeping conversations to email—a trick they called their “emotional firewall.” Meanwhile, another ex-couple found humor essential; they joked about their failed marriage as a way to break tension. It reminded me that even broken bridges can sometimes carry light traffic.
Watch this video for some more tips:
5. Prioritise the well-being of children
If you have children, their welfare should be the top priority. Children can experience a range of emotions during divorce, so you should strive to provide them with support and a safe space where they can be open about their feelings.
Our Experience: I remember one mother who used weekly family meetings to give her kids a voice in the new arrangement. Another dad I interviewed compared co-parenting to running a relay race—passing the baton smoothly takes practice but keeps everyone moving forward. Their stories underscored how children thrive when they feel heard and secure.
If you are struggling to establish clear co-parenting arrangements you could seek support to help you come up with a plan that works for both parties.
6. Set clear financial goals
Divorce can lead to significant financial changes, making it essential to set realistic financial goals for your future. Assess your new budget, monthly expenses, and long-term financial commitments.
Setting clear financial targets can reduce the feeling of insecurity and empower you to rebuild your independence.
Our Experience: One groom described post-divorce budgeting as “learning to live without the luxury of denial.” A bride shared how creating a spreadsheet for every penny made her feel in control again, like a captain charting a new course. Divorce doesn’t just split a relationship; it often reshuffles an entire life, and financial clarity is the compass.
7. Consider joining a support group
Support groups can provide comfort and a sense of community during difficult times. Being surrounded by others who understand your experiences can alleviate feelings of isolation and offer practical advice.
Our Experience: A woman I interviewed said her support group felt like a “lifeboat for emotional shipwreck survivors.” Another man shared that hearing others’ struggles made his own pain feel less isolating, like realising you’re not the only one caught in the rain without an umbrella. Shared empathy can be powerfully healing.
8. Rediscover your personal interests and passions
Divorce often brings changes to your daily routine and social circle, which can feel unsettling. Use this as an opportunity to rediscover old interests or explore new hobbies. Pursuing activities you enjoy is a positive way to rebuild your confidence and create new social connections.
Watch this video to learn more:
Our Experience: One bride I knew used her post-divorce time to reignite her love of painting, transforming her living room into a mini studio. Another groom joined a local hiking club and joked that he fell in love with nature before people again. Rediscovering passions often feels like reclaiming pieces of yourself you forgot were missing.
9. Set boundaries and embrace your new independence
Setting boundaries is crucial for emotional recovery and establishing your new life. Determine what kind of relationship, if any, you want with your ex-partner and communicate this clearly.
Welcome your independence and take time to explore what this new phase offers. Adjusting to your own space, routines, and choices can feel liberating and empower you to rebuild your life on your own terms.
Our Experience: One woman told me how setting firm boundaries with her ex felt like “building a fence around her peace.” A groom shared that learning to cook for himself gave him a sense of control and pride he hadn’t felt in years. Independence, as they showed me, can be both scary and exhilarating—like jumping off a cliff and discovering you can fly.
10. Take time before entering new relationships
After a divorce, it’s tempting to seek comfort in a new relationship, but taking time to heal is essential. Jumping into a new relationship too soon can prevent you from fully processing the divorce and moving forward healthily. Focus on understanding your needs, interests, and boundaries first. When you do feel ready, you’ll be more prepared to build a healthier, more fulfilling relationship.
Watch this video to get some more ideas on this sensitive topic:
Our Experience: A man I once interviewed called his post-divorce dating detox a “romantic sabbatical,” joking that he treated himself better than any date ever had. A bride admitted her rush into a rebound relationship left her heartbroken twice over, teaching her patience is a gift you give yourself. Their journeys proved that time heals—and often teaches.
To Conclude…
After 13 years of following couples through every twist and turn of their love stories, one thing stands out: life after divorce is not the end—it’s a messy, unpredictable beginning. Whether it’s setting boundaries, rediscovering passions, or finding strength in support groups, every step is a chance to rebuild. Like a mosaic, the broken pieces can come together to create something unexpectedly beautiful. Divorce may close a chapter, but it leaves the pen firmly in your hands to write the next one.