So you got divorced. Phew, it’s over with. Now what? You find yourself looking around at an empty house while your kids are at school and suddenly aren’t quite sure what to do with yourself. There’s no errands to run for your partner, and there’s no upcoming weekend plans with a your usual married couple friends. Suddenly things look pretty bleak. What were you thinking?
Do not despair! Need some newly divorced free time tips? This is a great opportunity to explore new avenues and take advantage of your newfound freedom. Here are some great free time hobbies and free time activities to consider if you aren’t quite sure how to get started.
1. Start meditating and practicing yoga. Or just exercise.
The stress and anxiety you feel from your recent divorce has put you on edge. Perhaps you are starting to have panic attacks and a general sense of doom throughout the day. According to Web MD, meditation is something you can practice each day to help calm your nerves and channel your energy in a positive direction. It can also help if you have insomnia. Yoga is another great way to practice mindfulness. There are all sorts of classes available. Check out your local gym or yoga studio.
Not into the whole meditation and yoga thing? No need to worry! Simple, good old-fashioned exercise of any sort can do the trick too. If you’re new, start out slow by walking or riding your bike. More advanced people can think about running the next 5K. Make goals that challenge yourself. Not only will you look better, but you will feel better too. Studies show that exercise reduces stress by increasing endorphins. You have nothing to lose.
2. Start cleaning house.
Ever noticed that when you’re stressed or exhausted, things seem to get disorganized? It starts slowly, and suddenly the task of reorganizing them just seems too daunting to deal with. According to a psychologist referenced at Elite Daily, clutter, “clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli; causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren’t necessary or important.”
So what do you do? Well, start slowly. Write a list of what you want to organize. Try to complete one task a day while taking advantage of free time you may have. Clean out your car. Get rid of the clothes you haven’t fit into in 20 years that are stuffed in the back of your closet. If you haven’t used something in the past year, you probably don’t need it. After you are done organizing, you’ll feel like a brand new you.
3. Get involved in the community.
What is it that interests you? Maybe you would enjoy a meet up group online of newly divorced men or women. Or you could get involved in a local club. Check out charities in the area. Helping someone else can get you to stop thinking about yourself. Also, it’s a great way to meet new people through a great cause.
If you are a parent, get more active in your child’s school if you want. Join a committee, become a coach, or plan group events for your child’s friends. It’s great to be social and get away from your comfort zone. Plus, you will connect with your children more and help them cope through this difficult time.
So how to take advantage of free time after divorce? There are many solutions and these are only a few suggestions. If you don’t like any of them, start being creative to come up with your own activities that suit your personality. Start living your life fully and take advantage of the many benefits that your newfound freedom has to offer.