5 tips to get you through New Year’s Eve after divorce
Ringing in the New Year as a new divorcee can feel a very poignant event. For some, it’s the perfect time to go out and celebrate their newly found freedom. But, if you were married for many decades, or if your divorce has been a highly emotional or difficult experience, it can be a challenging evening to get through. We’ve compiled some tips on how you can get through the other side of New Year’s Eve.
Please yourself
First thing’s first, don’t feel obliged to go with the social norm. Although it may be hard if your friends and family are encouraging you not to stay in and to go out and have some ‘fun’, only do so if you really want to. It’s understandable that if you have been through a divorce, you will not be first in line to sing Auld Lang Syne on karaoke. Sometimes, going out to a party to cheer yourself up can have the reverse effect. If you think this could happen to you, be comfortable in saying that you’re happy doing your own thing this year.
Have fun with the family
If you have children, New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to focus on having some good old-fashioned and simple fun with them. Seeing the magic of the evening through their eyes is a great tonic to help you take your mind off the worry or upset of your divorce. If you used to enjoy particular New Year traditions together in previous years, like hot chocolates and a movie, then keep this up, because children feel stable when traditions continue. If you don’t have any, then why not start some new ones?
Give yourself a pamper evening
Whether you are a parent or not, you have no doubt had a busy lead up to Christmas, working hard or making plans for the family. New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to slow down and look after you. So, get your foot spa and your face packs out and settle down for an evening of self-love and indulgence. You’ll feel all the better for it.
Take a break
If the old familiar surroundings are bringing back painful memories, plan a break away from it all. Taking yourself off to a different place, with new people is often just what you need to gain a new perspective and reduce stress levels. You don’t need to go anywhere far flung or exotic, but you do need to choose somewhere that will fulfill your needs; whether that’s a quaint lodge in the hills or something a bit more social. If finances don’t allow, consider asking to stay with a friend or friends for the evening, that way you get their company and a change of scenery.
Plan your year
It’s not necessarily the most relaxing or fun thing associated with New Year’s Eve, but planning your year ahead can make you feel much more positive, focused and ready to start a brand-new era in your life. Get yourself comfy, grab your journal and begin writing down your ambitions and goals for the next 12 months. This will help you consolidate what you want to do, and how you can do it.
As a new divorcee, handling New Year’s Eve doesn’t need to be difficult. Mentally prepare yourself beforehand and make sure you have some plans, even if the plan is to ‘do nothing’. Don’t feel like you have to take part in the typical kind of celebrations and if you have children, try to make the evening as fun for them as possible.
