Tragedy Can Lead to Divorce
People experience all sorts of tragedies in life. Something like being laid off can be devastating and can understandably impact a relationship. So, too, can events related to serious illnesses, accidents, the loss of a child, and much, much more. If personal tragedy has led you to consider divorce, here are a few things to think about:
Grieving is different for everyone: While some individuals are extremely private in their grief, others need to pour their emotions out. It can be difficult to understand someone who feels the need to discuss and cry about the tragedy seemingly endlessly if you’re the kind of person who prefers to sit quietly with those feelings. Neither way is best or right, but finding ways to support a partner who is experiencing the loss in a way different from the way you are is important. Look for common ground and give your partner permission to grieve in whatever way they need to.
Healing Takes Time: Are you the kind of person who bounces back relatively quickly after a major roadblock in life, or does it take you a while to process, understand, and make sense of a tragedy before you can move forward? People address loss in different ways and on different timelines. Understanding this–and refusing to judge your partner for working through things at a different pace–can make things better all around.
Supporting One Another is Difficult Sometimes: Allowing silence, allowing discussion, holding one another, avoiding taking things personally when things aren’t jiving–these are all things you can do to demonstrate that you care and support your spouse. Try to display hope in the future, and allow healing to emerge from that hope. That may mean focusing on a new purpose in order to move forward. Unquestionably, trying to support your spouse while you’re suffering yourself can be tough, but getting through it as a team can be extremely rewarding.
You May Grow Apart: Tragedy can do strange things to people. They may feel unable to tolerate challenges big and small, preferring isolation over communication. They may feel like they are so consumed by grief that they simply haven’t the energy to maintain a relationship. When one partner is just existing in a vacuum of pain day to day and the other is craving connection, it can be extremely painful and could lead to thoughts of divorce. If time, a network of support, commitment to the marriage, and counseling don’t help, that may be the unfortunate conclusion.
Your Legal Advocate
The experienced Boca Raton divorce attorneys at WiseLieberman always support your goals as they work toward a favorable outcome in divorce. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation in our Boca Raton office today.
