There is no better time to start anew than the beginning of a brand new year. If you’ve gone through a divorce in the past year, starting all over again in the new year feels like a breath of fresh air. But sometimes changes are a lot easier to want to make than to actually implement.
You’ve spent years with the same mindset and habits. So how can you shift away from the old, and transform into the new, happier you?
Here are 5 things that you can start in the new year to recover, heal, and find happiness:
Knock Something Off Your Bucket List
The art class you’ve always wanted to take? Take it.
The girls/guys trip you’ve always wanted to go on? Plan it.
Do something that you’ve been wanting to do but never had the time or the energy to execute. If there is an upside to divorce, it could be that you usually have significantly more “me” time than you had before. The children likely spend a designated amount of time at the other parent’s house, which frees you up for some of the things you’ve wanted to do for yourself. Carpe diem!
Take 10 Minutes a Day for Mindfulness
Whether it’s simply taking a few minutes to sit and relax in peace or trying structured meditation, studies show that as few as 10 “mindful minutes” a day can have lasting, positive effects on our day-to-day lives.
If sitting still in silence doesn’t interest you, you may also want to start a gratitude journal. Taking a few short moments to write out the things you’re grateful for will serve as a daily reminder of all you have to be happy for.
Let Go
Getting rid of clutter and cleansing your space of old clothes, shoes, household items, and outgrown children’s things can really make the new year feel “new.”
Psychologically, it’s cleansing for many people to purge unwanted and unnecessary items. Especially if you’ve been holding onto items that may have once been sentimental but now hold painful memories—these should be the first to go in the new year!
Give Back
Whether it’s donating or volunteering, finding a way to serve the less fortunate is a great way to lift your spirits and serve your community in the process. Studies have shown that spending your time doing something for others can boost your mental health, as well as put your own circumstances into perspective. You can also make giving back a family effort, and get your children involved by having them pick out items that they don’t play with any more to give to someone who doesn’t have as much. Depending on their age, they may also be able to participate in more meaningful volunteer efforts like organizing a coat drive or feeding the less fortunate.
Plan on a Date
You may not be ready to see what other fish are in the dating pool just yet, but you can still go on a friend date! Plan a day with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or better yet: a group of friends. Bonus points for planning a date that includes something off your bucket list, like attending a painting class, going hiking or fishing, or maybe travelling somewhere you never had time to see.
Your children are also date-worthy! Planning a bonding day with them outside of the home doing some of the things you and they like to do can be a much-needed, therapeutic break for you both.
Of course, these are just a few things that you can focus on and implement in the new year to jump start the “new me” mentality!
Not Yet Divorced?
If you’ve been considering divorce, and want to take that big step this year, contact the Hollwarth Law Firm for guidance, help, and advice. Our experienced Texas family law attorney provides compassionate counsel unique to each client’s situation. If you’d like to talk to someone about a Texas divorce and how to begin the process, give us a call at (903) 234-0711. We’re here for you because we know family matters.