The Fall Season: Deciding to Get a Divorce

Fall is a time of change, and with the inevitable arrival of cooler temperatures, and the shifting colors of the leaves, it reminds us that change is a part of life. In fact, change is the only constant. Fall is time to say farewell to summer and jump into a new season. 

If you feel the air shifting in your relationship, here are some ideas for how you can lean into the wisdom of the autumn season as you consider your next steps: 

• Acknowledge the "crisp air" (trust your intuition): Is the coolness inside your marriage? Despite effort, time and conversations, is the marriage stagnant?  Acknowledge this change, listen to your gut, sit with it. 
• Harvest what was good (without staying for it): Fall is harvest season. Acknowledge what the marriage gave you (children, personal growth, shared history, unique experiences) but don’t use these good memories as an excuse to stay in a season that has ended.
• Prepare for the leaves to drop (quiet preparation): Trees don't drop all their leaves in one afternoon; they slowly withdraw sap back into their trunk to protect their core for the winter. This also prepares them for a future spring.  Use this time to prepare: consult a mediator or an attorney, gather financial documents, and secure a support network before making big announcements.
• Grieve the summer (allowing sadness and gratitude): Fall is beautiful, but it can carry an inherent nostalgia. It’s normal to feel sad, to grieve the end of a marriage…the end of a season.  Trust me, you can be 100% sure of a decision and still mourn the life you had.

If you want professional support, start with a free discovery call.  Single Shift Sessions or a 4-session package are available when you are ready to invest in yourself.  

What is a discovery call? It’s a 60-minute focused period of time with Dr. Sara Marie. You will leave the session with valuable insight, clarity on your next decision, or focus and organization for the overwhelm you may be feeling.  It’s free, and if you are prepared to dive into what you need, it will be an invaluable start.

Ready for more? Learn more and access free resources at Brave Shift Coaching.