People who are 50 years old and older are divorcing at a higher rate than they did in the past. It is commonly assumed that older couples who are married will continue life in that manner, but some seniors are realizing that they don’t have to continue in a marriage that isn’t working.
There are many reasons for this, but many are attributing it to the fact that people tend to live longer now. Others are pointing to “empty nest syndrome” that occurs when the children have all moved out of the home. Boredom, lack of common interests, financial freedom and other points can also come into the picture. If you are facing a grey divorce, you need to ensure that you are taking steps to protect yourself.
Support is important
You need to find your support system when you are going through this situation. You also have to realize that you are capable of handling your life. Confidence will help you considerably when moving forward on your own. Knowing that you have friends and family members behind you can help immensely.
Reclaim your identity
Chances are good that through your married life, you’ve come to identify as “spouse.” Now that you are divorcing, it is time to reclaim your own identity. This can be a challenge, but it is well worth the effort. Try to find things that you enjoy doing and focus on those. You will have to address the emotional challenges that come with a divorce at an older age, but having something to immerse yourself in can help you through this. The local senior center in Macon may be a good place to start since there are usually many activities there.
Focus on your health
Your health is important, especially since you are older. Make sure that you don’t turn to unhealthy habits to cope with the end of the marriage. Instead, try to find ways that you can make small improvements. Choose healthy meals, get some exercise, and make an appointment for a check-up if you haven’t had one in a while. Also, take medications that you’ve been prescribed for any diagnosed conditions.
The end of a marriage later in life doesn’t mean that you’ve wasted your life or anything similar. It simply means that it is time to start a new chapter. Think carefully about the property division process of the divorce so that you can have the best financial start possible for this change.