Divorce Part 1 - Turning divorce into a catalyst for change

While most people would agree that divorce is generally painful, it can also take your life in a more desirable direction and lead to things that you thought were impossible.

As someone who has experienced divorce, I can confirm it is horribly painful, but it also taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought possible and that good things are waiting if you allow them in.

Change didn’t happen straight away, to start with I was just trying to survive working full time with two small children but eventually I began to see ‘me’ again. I had lost who I was throughout my marriage and no longer understood my own needs. Slowly, I reconnected with myself and discovered I was ready to change.

I am eternally grateful to my ex-husband for making the decision to leave, because I would have continued down the same path, leading a life that was focussed on everyone else, never seeing what was possible. My life took a sharp turn 9 years ago, but it was the start of something good.

Change can feel incredibly scary emotionally and practically. So many questions spring to mind when considering change. Where do I start? How do I afford it? Will anyone help me? What if it doesn’t work? Am I stupid for trying? I’m sure you get the idea and can think of many more. Sitting with all these questions and the emotion that goes with them is enough to put anyone off and decide not to bother but let me reassure you that it’s worth it. I always think of the saying “It’s always better to regret what you have done than what you haven’t” when considering change.

I decided to get a degree at the age of 35. I’d left education after hating every minute of my A-levels vowing never to study again. Going to university was something I didn’t feel capable of and I believed I couldn’t do it. It wasn’t an easy or quick decision and I could have quite easily said it’s not doable but after lots of deliberation and research I signed up. This course taught me that I’m ambitious, eager to learn and capable of writing academically. It gave me a confidence boost, new friends and a renewed love of learning. I aced it with a first class honours degree!