For Immediate Release
Dan Couvrette, Divorce
Magazine’s Publisher and CEO
“Valentine’s Day doesn’t
need to be something that
divorced people dread.
Instead, it can be an
invitation to re-create
oneself and start on the
path towards a new,
better life.”
(PRWEB) February 1, 2011
Marketing-inspired images of lovers exchanging heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, ads inviting couples to escape for a romantic getaway for two, and pretty much everything else to do with Valentine’s Day can paint a rosy picture that is painfully at-odds with what many divorced people experience this time of year.
Fortunately, relief is at hand, now that Divorce Magazine’s Publisher Dan Couvrette has put together a list of 5 Valentine’s Day Survival Tips for divorced people:
Tip #1: Accept that divorce changes your life. There are many words to describe the experience of divorce — and not all of them are fit for publication! Without question, divorce can be emotionally overwhelming, financially terrifying, and psychologically traumatic. Despite all of this, the most important tip for you to move on with your life – domestically, romantically and in all other ways – is to accept that your life has changed. A great deal of sadness and anger may accompany this acceptance, but this can be cathartic instead of crushing. With change comes the opportunity for growth and renewal, and for better days ahead; including Valentine’s Day.
Tip #2: Learn from the experience. I know from personal experience that divorce takes a lot away from a person: it takes their physical health, emotional health, money, time, and for some, their children and the love of their life. However, divorce can also give something incredibly valuable: knowledge that you can use to learn from the experience. Even if you believe that your spouse is 99% at fault for the break-up (which is unlikely, by the way), you can still learn from how you dealt with it, both positively and negatively. Use this knowledge to improve and grow, so that your future relationships – and future Valentine’s Days – are less stressful, and more joyful.
Tip #3: Get back in the game…eventually. After divorce, it’s a good idea to give yourself the time you need to heal your wounds, care for your kids, recreate your new financial life, restore your health, and focus on other key priorities before re-entering the dating scene. However, that doesn’t mean you should swear off dating forever. You can’t wait until you feel 100% safe and secure again before you dip a toe in the dating waters, because that absolute certainly will never come – and you’ll stand on the edge of the pool forever! Consider becoming a member of a credible dating service (including ones that cater specifically to divorced people), join a support group with other divorced people, or read dating after divorce books and articles written by qualified experts who can give you the support you need to get back in the game. You might not be ready by this Valentine’s Day, but there’s another one coming a year from now!
Tip #4: Consider outside assistance to help you move forward. After divorce, friends and family can sometimes offer a helpful shoulder to lean on. But if you find that Valentine’s Day and all of the talk and imagery about romance, relationships and cupid-inspired love floods you with unbearable or undesirable emotions, then it may be time to talk with a therapist (click for a list of local therapists, counselors and other divorce professionals). Choose one who specializes in helping divorced people recreate their life after divorce. There are also plenty of personal empowerment courses available.
Tip #5: Love yourself and your new single identity. No, this tip isn’t a mistake. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being single, and simply deciding that you want to enjoy and experience the single life for a change. Yes, other people will (unfortunately) keep asking you “if you’re dating again.” Don’t get mad at them – they mean well! And frankly, you won’t get mad at them if you embrace your new single identity and say to yourself: “I love myself, I embrace my new single identity, and I’m going to have some fun with this for a while!” If that “while” turns into months, years or decades that’s perfectly fine – as long as it’s something you’ve embraced.
“Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be something that divorced people dread,” notes Dan Couvrette, who remarried after his divorce 16 years ago. “Instead, Valentine’s Day can be an invitation to re-create oneself and start on the path towards a new, better life; one that is rich with possibilities for laughter, dating, romance and, for some, happy and successful remarriage. It all begins with these simple and yet transformative lifestyle tips.”
Divorced people searching for more advice on relationships, dating after divorce and other divorce recovery issues can visit Divorce Magazine and browse an extensive library of practical and easy-to-read articles. The website also lists local counselors and other allied support professionals who can help divorced/divorcing people (and others) deal with the emotional and psychological challenges triggered by Valentine’s Day and other holidays.
About Us
Launched in 1995, Divorce Magazine is North America’s only magazine devoted entirely to divorce. It’s published twice a year with six regional editions, and is full of helpful articles as well as guides to local divorce professionals. The online version of the magazine, http://www.DivorceMagazine.com, is a leading divorce-related website since 1995 and offers thousands of pages of self-help articles as well as public forums, polls, information on local divorce professionals, and a blog located at http://divorceblog.divorcemag.com. The company also runs http://www.BlogsOnDivorce.com, which features expert opinions and insights from leading divorce professionals, including judges, lawyers, mediators, therapists and more. For more information on Divorce Magazine, http://www.DivorceMagazine.com and http://www.BlogsOnDivorce.com, contact publisher and CEO Dan Couvrette at (888) 217-9538 ext. 24 or email DanC(at)divorcemag(dot)com.