When it is time to divorce your spouse, you know. You might linger on the thought for weeks, months, and sometimes years, but when you have a gut instinct, it’s usually right. The real decision is about when to act and tell your spouse that you would like to separate.
You might know it’s the right decision, but that doesn’t make divorce any more comfortable. Feelings of anger, anxiety, sadness, and relief, among others, will be racing through your mind. Sometimes you will feel that you’re making the best decisions for yourself and, if applicable, your children. Other times you’ll be second-guessing yourself.
The following four books could act as a confidant during a challenging time in your life, and help you come out the other side in a better place physically and emotionally.
It’s Called a Breakup Because it’s Broken by Greg Behrendt
This book doesn’t pull any punches. It doesn’t give you a light-hearted approach and watch out for your feelings. In fact, this book can seem a little mean, but it tells the truth and provides you real-world advice. Think of the person in your life that gives it to you straight. This book embodies your real-life blunt confidant.
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
Nominated for the scripts of When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, Nora Ephron is best known for her movie writing chops. She’s also known for her divorce autobiography. We take a risk when we fall in love, and sometimes it backfires, but that doesn’t mean the risk wasn’t worth it.
Split by Suzanne Finnamore
Divorce affects everybody and doesn’t spare class, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. This book is about telling you that you aren’t alone. Millions upon millions of people have gotten divorced or are going through exactly what you are going through. Suzanne Finnamore provides an in-depth look at her own divorce by writing about the five stages of loss: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.
Sacred Cows: The Truth About Divorce and Marriage by Danielle and Astro Teller
With marriage and divorce come myths. Since the Mythbusters can’t bust societal myths, allow the now-divorced Tellers to expose them in a friendly and humorous tone.
