We all process emotions differently. Some internalize, some seek therapy, and some benefit from venting to friends and family. For most of us, getting a divorce is unknown territory, so it’s hard to anticipate how we’ll deal with our emotions during this trying time until it happens.
While venting is healthy, like most things there’s an appropriate time and place—and social media is NOT the place. Aside from the fact that you may regret it later, it can also have damaging implications to your divorce or custody case. Venting your emotions isn’t the only thing you’ll want to avoid doing on your social media channels, take a look at a few other things you shouldn’t do during your divorce process:
1. Bashing Your Former Spouse
As easy as they may make it sometimes, the very last thing you want to do is use a social media platform to badmouth your soon-to-be former spouse. Chances are you still have a good number of mutual friends and family members on Facebook, and even if you don’t, you run the risk of alienating friends who may grow tired of seeing you rip on your ex. The old adage definitely applies here: if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
2. Spying on Your Ex
How tempting it is to take a quick peek at your ex’s social media. After all, they may be dating someone or talking about you, right? Wrong. Even if they have moved on or decided to break rule #1 and badmouth you, nothing good will come from you seeing it. Understand that they are going through their own emotional process, and it is healthier for both of you to deal with it in your own ways.
3. Changing Your Status
So you’ve decided not to waste a second getting back into the dating pool. Perhaps you’ve even met someone who is amazing in every way and definitely nothing like your ex. Perhaps the next step is to make it “Facebook official” and change your status, right? NO. This is perhaps one of the most detrimental things you can do when you’re going through a divorce. Your ex use it against you in court, especially when it comes to child custody. The court will take into consideration the fact that you’re about to bring new people into your child’s life and this may affect the court’s ultimate decision.
In 2018 it’s nearly impossible not to share some aspects of your life on social media. If you find it difficult to take a social media break, try and limit yourself to posting positive statuses and images that are conducive to your healing. Photos of the kids, checking in somewhere where you are trying something new—like yoga or paint night—or even a selfie because you feel good about yourself are all ok. Just try and remember that the more you post with the intention to prove something to someone else takes a little bit away fromyour healing and growth. Go at your own pace and at your own time. This time is all about YOU.
Contact Us
If you’re going through a divorce, or are considering it, you deserve an attorney with a compassionate ear and the experience to guide you through the complex Texas divorce process. Give the Hollwarth Law Firm a call at (903) 234-0711 today; we know family matters.