How Does My Divorce Make You Feel
So, you're going through a divorce. Big stuff, right? Lots of hushed tones. Lots of sympathetic head pats. Lots of "Oh, I'm so sorry." And then, if you're anything like me, you might get the inevitable, whispered question, "How does it make you feel?"
Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here, and this is probably an unpopular opinion, but sometimes? Sometimes, my divorce makes me feel… well, it makes me feel like I just found a really good parking spot on a busy Saturday. Or like when you finally untangle that ridiculously knotted necklace. It's less a dramatic opera and more a gentle sigh of relief, tinged with the distinct aroma of newly acquired freedom.
Think about it. For a long time, your life was a complicated dance. You were partnered up. You had to coordinate steps, anticipate moves, and sometimes, let's be honest, step on each other's toes. It was a routine. Predictable. Comfortable, in its own way, like wearing those same old sweatpants that have seen better days but fit just right. And then, poof. The music stops. The partner hands you their coat and walks off stage.
And suddenly, you're the one deciding which way to twirl. Which song to play. Whether to wear the sparkly dress or the… well, the sparkly dress, obviously. It’s like being handed the remote control after years of sharing. You have access to all the channels. All the streaming services. You can binge-watch that obscure documentary about competitive cheese rolling without judgment. It’s glorious!
People expect tears. They expect turmoil. They expect you to be adrift on a stormy sea, clinging to a splintered piece of what-was-once-a-love-boat. And sure, there are moments. There are definitely moments where you might think, "Huh. That's a bit weird. Is this what being single again feels like?" There’s a brief, existential flutter. A fleeting pang of… what is that? Is that nostalgia? Or is that just the phantom limb of joint tax returns?
But then, you remember. You remember the little things. The quiet mornings where you can actually hear yourself think. The freedom to leave that half-finished bag of chips on the counter without a lecture. The sheer, unadulterated joy of buying that ridiculously expensive candle that only you like, and lighting it whenever you darn well please. It’s the little victories, people!
My divorce makes me feel like I've been freed from a particularly tedious chore. Like cleaning out the garage. You dread it, you put it off, and when you finally tackle it, it’s dusty and overwhelming. But once it’s done? Oh, the satisfaction! You can actually see the floor again. You can find things! You might even discover a long-lost treasure, like that one pair of socks that actually match.
It also makes me feel a little bit like I’m in a movie montage. You know the one. Upbeat music, quick cuts, maybe a bit of a power walk. You’re suddenly trying new things. You’re rediscovering hobbies you forgot you even had. Maybe you’re taking up pottery. Or learning to juggle. Or finally reading all those books that have been gathering dust on your nightstand, silently judging your life choices. It's a glow-up, but it's not about getting revenge on anyone. It's about getting you back.
And let's be real, sometimes it just makes me feel… tired. Divorce is work. It’s paperwork. It’s awkward conversations. It’s explaining yourself to people who, bless their hearts, have no idea what they’re talking about. So, yeah, sometimes it makes me feel like I need a nap. A very long nap. Maybe with a face mask and a questionable reality TV show. And you know what? That's perfectly okay too.
So, the next time someone asks, "How does your divorce make you feel?" and you're tempted to offer a dramatic sigh and a story of utter devastation, consider this. Consider the quiet joy. The unexpected lightness. The triumphant feeling of finally being in charge of your own remote control. It might just make you feel surprisingly, wonderfully, and unapologetically… good. Like you just found that perfect parking spot, and the sun is shining, and there’s a fresh cup of coffee waiting. And honestly? That's a pretty fantastic feeling.
