Are Women Happier After A Divorce

Divorce is not a black-and-white situation. It is a tumultuous time for both partners. There are many emotions involved, which can get messy and complicated. Many people commonly view divorcing men and women in a certain light. Part of this is due to the depiction of divorce in television shows and movies. The man is the cheating scoundrel, while the woman is scorned and devastated. But life isn't an entertainment piece, and these portrayals aren't always an accurate reality of what divorce is like.

Would it be surprising to hear that sometimes, a woman is happier after divorce?

Life After Divorce

For both a man and a woman, life after divorce can be really different. Depending on the reason for the divorce, it is definitely common for one partner to overall be happier than their ex. Here are some common reasons why a woman's happiness level may increase after divorce.

Support

Women, in general, are more likely to reach out to their friends or family for support for what they are going through. From mental health issues to work stress, women feel less scared to reach out when they need a shoulder to lean on.

In their post-divorce life, women will surround themselves with their loved ones for encouragement, moral support, and a listening ear. Men, on the other hand, are more elusive when it comes to the struggles they are facing.

This extra layer of support during a huge life transition may not be the equivalent of smiling ear to ear or walking through life giddy as can be. But, it is a pretty strong indicator that a woman will be happier quicker.

Women Practice Self-Care More Frequently

Self-care is a word that gets thrown around a lot. It isn't the long soak in a bathtub depiction that we often associate it with. Instead, self-care is really just taking care of our most basic needs. Eating healthy, exercising, sleeping enough, and drinking plenty of water are all the most basic forms of self-care we can perform.

Women are more likely to recognize the importance of prioritizing their basic needs. The divorce itself may not be a happy memory for her. But, by taking care of herself in these basic ways, she's ensuring that happiness can leak into other areas of her life during the most troubling and difficult times.

Men Engage In Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms More Frequently

When women reach out to others more frequently for support, they create healthy avenues to release their emotions and thoughts surrounding divorce.

Men are more likely to isolate themselves and not open up about divorce. Their emotions and thoughts are still there, but they are bottling them up instead of releasing them. This often leads to toxic habits such as drinking heavily, gambling, or reckless behaviors that are damaging to someone's well-being.

The Double-Edged Sword Of Divorce

It hits everyone differently. No two people, regardless of gender, will experience going through a divorce in the same way. The important thing to remember is that just because a woman is more likely to be happier post-divorce doesn't mean she will be. There's an expectation with virtually everything in life that it "should" go a certain way. So when that expectation isn't met, it can be really frustrating. In reality, divorce is a life-changing experience that causes a range of emotions. And these emotions and thoughts aren't gender-exclusive.

If you are going through a divorce, you may wonder if what you are experiencing is normal or okay. Regardless of what you are feeling, I want to help validate your experience and help you find ways to cope. In divorce mediation, I am dedicated to supporting both men and women during this new chapter. Contact me soon to get started.