For many, marriage is foundational and so when a marriage falls apart it can feel like your foundation is crumbling and that your entire life is about to come crashing down. The emotional turmoil, financial repercussions, social changes, impact on your children and a host of other concerns can be overwhelming. We live in a world that never stops – jobs, bills, summer camp for the kids, taxes and more just keep going at full speed even as you struggle to face this massive change affecting your life. Below, we’ve shares stories and lessons from some of the bravest folks we know.
Jacob Cummings
After my divorce, I decided to form an all-kazoo orchestra to channel my heartbreak into something meaningful. We were called “Kazoo Fighters,” and our rendition of Beethoven’s 5th went viral for its glorious absurdity. I became the world’s first kazoo virtuoso, touring sold-out stadiums. My ex begged to come back after hearing our kazoo remix of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but I was too busy collaborating with famous yodelers. Moral: When life falls apart, just kazoo your way to stardom. Read more>>
Elle Alva
Looking back on my divorce, it’s clear that it was one of the hardest but most transformative experiences of my life. Making the decision to end my marriage was gut-wrenching, and I’ll never forget the day I walked into the courthouse. The contrast from the year before—when I had walked in with my ex-husband—was striking. This time, instead of heading up the stairs with him, I found myself directed to the filing office on the first floor. It was a moment full of sadness and realization. Read more>>
Jenine Marie Powell
I’m not sure if we ever “overcome” our divorce because divorce alters our future so drastically. We live with the ramifications and consequences of our divorce for years post divorce. A divorce is not an event that simply ends once all the paperwork is finalized. Our daily lives and those of our children will be forever altered. What we need to overcome is the pain, anger, sadness and all the other difficult emotions that accompany divorce. Read more>>
Daniellie Marie Conley
When you make a public declaration of your commitment to another person, you stand there full of hope with no anticipation that it will ever end. I was a 22 year old girl when I got married and despite the red flags and waring signs I decided to proceed with this profound belief that everything would work out for me. Read more>>
Nikola Webster
I was in a loveless marriage that probably should have ended ten years before it did. I chose to leave the marriage but assumed there would be an amicable divorce, and it was anything but, and my ex went on a mission to ruin me financially. My first line of defense was my circle of friends, which I consider family. I am an extremely independent woman, and this is probably the first time in my life where I reached for support. My friends were fundamental to my ability to overcome the divorce. Sometimes, this support helped me comb through hours of paperwork, my game plan, and my next move, and sometimes, it was emotional support – simply being with me when needed. Read more>>
Tara Walker
Much like my now deceased father, on September 19, 2009, I married someone almost exactly like him. Unfortuneately my father spewd out negative words to me on a consistant basis, and my ex-husband did the same thing, using the exact same words. Something personal that I shared with my ex-husband, he then in turn used it against me. I dealt with, and on a very regular basis, domestic abuse, which consisted of mental, emotional, verbal. I was constantly made to feel like I was imprisoned because I had to show up and sit beside him on the front row as “the deacon’s wife” many Sundays forcing a smile for the sake of appearance, to not make him look bad. All the while behind closed doors, he was a complete devil. Read more>>
