I made it through week one of hearing the painful decision to divorce. My (40m) wife (41f) has decided to terminate counseling and confirmed her decision. So what does week one look like? I feel abandoned, lost, full of shame, guilt and depression. I am feeling the appropriate emotions for processing a devastating loss and pending uphill battle. DO NOT FEEL ASHAMED to cry, scream or handle your emotions in healthy ways that you may have previously denied. Remember, this is your life. This is YOUR life. THIS IS YOUR LIFE.

Though we do not have children, or complicated finances, this does not alleviate the perspective of pain. Though my wife didn’t disappear with all possessions, I still feel abandoned. Though our partners can be peaceful, they can still cause trauma.

Week one is gut wrenching and knowing the months ahead will cause emotional and physical pain, I want you to take care of yourself. No friends? Reach out online. No family? Send me a message. A few months back I phoned the suicide prevention hotline. A single call can save your life. There is no need to multiply the loss. A lone man can build a home but a group of men can build a society.

I promise to take care of myself and urge you all to focus on the same. Remember, you have a 100% success rate in surviving your worst days. You have great potential in you, you just cannot see it through the fog. Carefully feel your way through and soon week two shall pass, as will month three and year four.

Don’t postpone your emotional, mental and physical well being.