First night

Adorable_FecalSpray · 2020-11-01T07:01:30+00:00

Things get better.

Here is what I did and highly recommend to other guys going through divorce to start doing (these are just basics).

Lift, heavy weights. If you don’t have access to heavy weights, then body weight exercises and cardio. The idea is you physically exhaust your body, which increases good chemicals in your brain. It will make you look better too, which helps with self-confidence. This can help w feelings of anger too.

Start and do BJJ, Muay Thai and/or Boxing 3-6x a week. This will help you mentally as well as physically. Also it will help you be somewhat social. This can help w feelings of anger too. Punching a heavy bag for 5 minutes straight is pretty tiring.

Find some hobbies to do, old ones you stopped or some new ones. Guitar, woodworking, piano, dancing, yoga, stamp collecting, shooting, home improvement projects, model building. For when you aren’t lifting heavy weights and/or rolling or punching something.

Stay away from alcohol, do not rely on it to numb the pain. Sure, have a drink or two but don’t let it be a crutch. You are stronger then that. Also use this time to fix your nutrition (I prefer low carb and high protein and fat, along w Intermittent Fasting). And get your sleep, your brain needs to be sharp while you are going through this.

Start pursuing some alternate stream(s) of income other then your regular 9-5. Start w writing business ideas, plans then start pursuing them. Doesn’t have to be huge but something that brings in extra money and gives your mind something to do. (Legal bills will add up quickly, even on amicable splits).

Learn to meditate, starting w a couple minutes a day and work your way up to 10-15 minutes. (This actually lowers my blood pressure, I’ve measured before and after. It also helps w obsessive negative thoughts). There are several apps out there, I use Headspace.

Make your living space your own. Whether you get to stay in your house or have to move. Over time put furniture, art and other items that YOU want and will be proud to show to people you invite over.

Get a therapist. You might have to trial a couple before you find one that you click with and you feel that they understand you. Don’t feel bad about firing them. If they are any good they will help you set some goals for the sessions.

Reach out to friends and family to keep those connections alive or to re-kindle them. Be careful about venting to family and friends about your situation or Ex. It is alright to do for close relationships but keep it vague and short. That is what the therapist is mostly for.

Read books and/or listen to audiobooks, here are some recommendations that I found helpful:

• ⁠Models

• ⁠No More Mr. Nice Guy!

• ⁠The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

• ⁠The 4-Hour Workweek

• ⁠48 Laws of Power

• ⁠How to Win Friends and Influence People

• ⁠The Rational Male

• ⁠Extreme Ownership

Discipline Equals Freedom

• ⁠Boundaries After a Pathological Relationship

• ⁠Stop Walking on Eggshells

• ⁠Magic Words

• ⁠The Co-dependent’s User Manual (The last 4 are if your Ex was a Narc or Borderline)

The above are just the basics, if you have kids there should be a few others things you should start doing. If your Ex has a personality disorder there are several more things you need to do. Do not share w your Ex you are doing these things. If she finds out, ok but this is your business for you to focus on.

And lastly, do NOT jump right back into another serious relationship. Figure out the part you played incoming to the divorce. Maybe it wasn’t much or maybe it was. Figure that out. Be ok w being on your own for awhile. Do not repeat the same mistakes that got you where you are right now. I would recommend taking at least a year to work on the above before dating again. If you really focus on the above you will go back to the dating market in a much much better position.

SkullValleyCowboy · 2020-11-01T09:29:44+00:00

It’s going to suck. It’ll hurt. You can’t just go pretend it’s a great sunny day... it’s dark stormy cold wet day... but it’s just a storm, and it’ll blow over, and I promise sunny days are ahead. You’ll be okay. Soon. I know it hurts, but you’ll be good soon.... also... you’ll hear lots of advice about hobbies and trying new stuff... do it, I’m sure it’s great and worked for many. I’m going to say and leave u with this...... Golf! Even if you never met a man that played and know nothing yourself..... Golf. Just Go .... 90 days from now you’ll be crying on Reddit subs about your golf game woes and not even have time for a woman. Bet your ass I’m right 👊Good luck stranger. You’ll be fine!

MyNewNormal808 · 2020-11-01T13:32:09+00:00

It will. There will be big highs and lows, but as time progresses the highs and lows will get shallower. Besides Adorable_FecalSpray's advise, try to find the positives. For me, I still had a good paying job, my kids were older so I would always be their Dad, I had love and support from my parents. For me, it help talking to a good therapist. It's a tough time in your life, get help. Good luck and hang in there.

BlackFire68 · 2020-11-02T01:52:37+00:00

Things get better... I hate to tell you there will also be moments that are worse than right now too. You body, mind. soul all react violently to this sort of life change... ride it out, learn from it... you can't "not hurt" from it.

Title	First night
Author	Imswim80
Upvotes	8
Comments	4
Date	November 1, 2020 6:57 AM UTC (5 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/jly7e7/first_night/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/first-night.1193965 https://theredarchive.com/post/1193965

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