If you are considering a divorce or going through the process, you know that ending a marriage is not a pleasant experience. A divorce attorney knows there is a lot of stress in making the tough choice to end a legal and emotional relationship, and there is often great concern over the terms of a divorce settlement.
The good news, however, is that a new study shows that a hardship like a divorce can change your outlook on the future and encourage you to savor more things in the present. As you work through the end of your marriage, the Huffington Post reports the future may be brighter than you think.
Divorce Can Lead to a Greater Ability to Enjoy Positive Experiences
The study was published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science and involved a survey of 14,986 adults. The surveyed adults were asked about whether they had experienced any adverse events, such as a divorce, and whether the adverse event was in the past or was ongoing in the present.
The thousands of survey respondents were then presented with six positive real-life scenarios, including hiking or enjoying activities like gazing at a beautiful waterfall. The purpose was to judge the ability of these divorced adults to enjoy positive experiences.
The study’s outcome revealed that those in the middle of their divorce had a diminished proclivity for saving positive events. The hardship of the divorce process reduced their ability to find joy in pleasant everyday activities.
However, people who had gone through a divorce or another adverse situation like the death of a loved one turned out to express a higher capacity for savoring simple pleasures than those who had not experienced such a hardship. Based on this data, researchers believe that people who had previously experienced the pain of a bad relationship or divorce were likelier to appreciate and take joy in everyday life.
This is good news for people who may be concerned about lingering feelings of sadness after a divorce or may be worried that they will be lonely and unable to enjoy life. Of course, some people have a hard time getting over divorce, and the many people who struggle should take advantage of the available support, including individual or group therapy. Regardless of what specific steps you need to move on after your marriage ends, there is typically a bright future ahead.
Of course, it is important to make sure that your finances and important relationships are protected during the divorce so you can emerge from the stressful process in a positive situation where you are equipped to enjoy life. An experienced attorney can help you to facilitate the negotiation of a divorce settlement agreement that makes sense for your family and allows for a positive outcome. An attorney can also help you in a litigated divorce, so you have the best chance of a favorable outcome, no matter your circumstances.
Bertolino LLP has offices in Austin, TX. Call 512-717-5432 to schedule a consultation.
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