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.
Syama Bunten
Pain, as paradoxical as it may seem, can be a powerful instrument. In delving deep into my own introspection, writing, and meditation, I discovered that it allowed me to unearth my true desires in life. Growing up, I had been influenced by societal expectations dictating what I should strive for and who I should become. These ideals of marriage, relationships, and the prescribed roles of a daughter, wife, and woman were ingrained in me. Unfortunately, prioritizing external validation instead of listening to my own inner voice led me down paths of immense pain. Read more>>
Danielle Connell
This isn’t the shiniest topic but I think it’s an important one. It may sound strange, but I ultimately feel grateful for my divorce. For starters, without the actual wedding part of the marriage, I may have never found my passion or pursued it. I honestly didn’t have a clue about the luxury invitation world prior to getting married and that aspect was so intriguing to me. Little did I know that I would spend the next eight years diving head first into calligraphy, lettering, invitation design and a truly fulfilling career after designing my own wedding. It was circa 2015 so everything was hand painted (don’t judge me). Read more>>
Charmeka Onyeneho
I was able to overcome divorce by having a huge supportive circle, which consisted of my church family, my children, my friends, and from people that God allowed me to meet through such a painful part of my journey. This last divorce was the most embarrassing to me because I felt like such a failure. And one would think because I’ve been down this road before that it would be familiar, but this time was different. I loved my former husband with everything within me as a wife should and I poured into my marriage. Read more>>
Constance Panton
It’s strange how society instinctually reacts to divorce as something unfortunate. Even this question leans more towards divorce as an obstacle, or a loss, and I admit it has its challenging parts. But divorce isn’t necessarily an obstacle or a loss. Divorce, for me, was liberating. I was in a marriage with a person who did not value the relationship as strongly as I did. Raising three impressionable daughters, I decided, it was better for them to see me work things out on my own than to see the dysfunctional relationship we were in. Read more>>
