1. You May Feel Like an Outcast—But You’re Not Alone

In the early days, I felt completely isolated. None of my friends were divorced. I turned to Google, searching desperately for reassurance that I wasn’t ruining my kids’ lives. Despite statistics saying half of marriages end in divorce, I still felt like I had failed. More alone than ever. But that was just the beginning.

2. You Will Find Your People

Eventually, a friend introduced me to a divorced mom, and that simple connection changed everything. Watching her live a full, beautiful life gave me hope. Through her, I found a new community of single parents, all thriving in their own way. There’s a vibrant world out there—comedy nights, running groups, dinner parties—where divorce isn’t a scarlet letter, it’s just a chapter.

3. The Shame Will Fade

Shame is real, especially in a culture that idolizes the nuclear family. I felt the sting of judgment more than once. The first few times I talked about my divorce, I felt compelled to explain and justify. Now? I simply say, “I have three great kids and I’m happy.” You don’t owe anyone an explanation. Let go of shame—it doesn’t belong to you.

4. You’ll Be Surprised By Your Own Strength

Single parenting pushed me in ways I never expected—and revealed a kind of pride I didn’t know I had. I learned how to budget, pay bills, fix things around the house. I connected with my kids in new, creative ways. I found strength in mastering the things I used to outsource. Divorce doesn’t diminish you—it can show you exactly what you’re capable of.

5. You’ll Start to Cherish Your Solo Time

Alone time used to scare me. Now? I crave it. Many women initiate divorce, not because they’re unhappy, but because they’re ready to reclaim themselves. We’re not 20-year-olds trying to fit into someone else’s mold. We know who we are, and we want our lives to reflect that. Divorce can be the first step toward truly living as your whole self.

You are not broken. You are evolving.

This journey isn’t easy, but it is meaningful. You will cry. You will laugh. And you’ll eventually discover that “divorced” doesn’t mean less than—it means you had the courage to choose a new path.

Stay tuned for part two, where I share more hard-earned truths and what it really takes to move forward with grace, grit, and clarity.