In this article, we’ll be exploring some different ways you can help and support a friend going through a divorce…
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It can be hard to know what to say when a friend is going through a divorce. You want to say the right thing, but you may not know how.
However, just being there for them can sometimes be enough to make them feel loved and cared for. Small loving gestures, like lending them a helping hand or planning a night out, can also go a long in making your friend feel better about themselves.
Or, if you know them well, you may even want to go the extra mile and help them find divorce solicitors in London that are right for them. To help you along the way, we’ll be discussing some of the best things you can do for a friend in need during their divorce…
Suggest some fun things you could do together
A great way you can help take your friend’s mind off the divorce is by finding some
fun things the pair of you can do together.
Activities that promote self-care, such as a trip to the spa or some retail therapy, are always a good shout. But, if your friend is not feeling up to anything big, why not just go for a coffee or take the dogs out for a walk?
Encourage self-care
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It’s super important for anyone who’s recently been going through the stages of a divorce to practice self-care. To avoid overwhelming your friend during this difficult time, you could approach the subject gently, letting them know the things you like to indulge in when you’re feeling low.
Good things to recommend include, exercise, a good night’s sleep, eating healthily and connecting with loved ones.
Be a good listener
A genuine offer to sit down and chat can be a great way to make a friend feel heard and cared for. There are many ways you can express this desire to talk, from simply drafting them a quick text, or inviting them over for tea.
When you do connect, it’s important to be sensitive to their situation and listen empathetically. Often, they’ll just want someone to be there for them and listen.
In doing so, your friend may be able to shift some of the negativity and suffering away from them. It’s also important that, during this difficult time, your friend is surrounded by people that love and care for them.
Lend a helping hand
While offering to listen and connect can go a long way in supporting a friend, providing practical help can be a blessing to someone who’s currently going through a divorce.
You don’t need to go above and beyond either as, often, people can feel validated and looked after by just someone simply reaching out to them and expressing a desire to help out. These practical offers can include small things such as looking after their kids one night or watering the plants. Just as long as they feel that you’re there to help.
Discourage unhealthy behaviours
A particularly challenging or difficult divorce can cause serious emotional distress to some. While these negative feelings tend to subside, sometimes people can become further engrossed in irrational behaviours.
It’s important that you try and stamp these feelings out soon as you can. You can do this by reminding your friend that these kinds of behaviours will only keep them stuck in the past and they should instead channel all their energy into healing and self-care.
Remind them of their strength
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While it can be healthy for your friend to let their emotions out, you don’t want them to dwell on negative thoughts for too long. Instead, you should focus your energy on reminding them why they’re such a great person.
You can do this by telling them how much value they bring to your life and how special they are to you. You can also remind them of how much courage and resilience they have for overcoming a divorce and powering through to the next phase of their life. Emphasise that these feelings of discomfort and pain do pass, and that new adventures await them.
You could even try spinning the conversation on its head and ask your friend what feels good about being separated. In doing so, you can help your friend appreciate the good things they currently have going for them and guide them through the negativity and onto the good.
Helping a friend in need during their divorce…
During a divorce, your friend may feel a range of emotions, including anger, sadness, and confusion. It’s important to offer support and a shoulder to cry on while your friend experiences these difficult feelings.
While it can be hard to know what to say, just being there for them can go a long way in making them feel loved and cared for. Encouraging healthy rituals, like self-care, and being an empathic listener can also massively help make your friend feel tonnes better.