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Sometimes the universe hits us with a curveball that seems impossible to fully recover from. Divorce is one of those things that can shake the ground under our feet and expose our deepest fears and vulnerabilities. Not to mention that it fundamentally alters the trajectory of our life.

However, we humans are often more resilient than we think and can come out of dark moments stronger than before. A good example comes from the Reddit user BondEmilyBond. They recently posted a question to the platform, asking divorced folks to share the lesson they took away from the experience. Here are some of the most upvoted replies they've received.

#1

35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced How content I could be on my own. Never having to compromise throughout the mundane moments because you are living alone is very freeing.

Independent_sunshine , Fuu J / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

pug nose curly tail
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Living this right now and i LOVE IT!

tw 72
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only once you live alone do you understand how taxing this is: What's for dinner? Do you know where my **whatever** is? Did you pick up **whatever** at the store? What are we doing today?

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Awesome At Being Autistic
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Preach it. I am soooo happily divorced and single, and I am planning on purposely staying that way.

weatherwitch
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I adore living alone and have done so all my adult life apart from three years. The most wonderful thing in the world for me 😊

Glen Ellyn
Community Member
Premium
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is me. How content I am being on my own!

Debbie
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same. I sometimes miss a partner, but I love my freedom as well. Of there is going to be another relationship, it will be LAT. So we each keep our own place.

OpheliaPoe
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember having this moment a few months after my divorce while grocery shopping. My ex was particular about what toilet paper we bought and I suddenly realized that I could get whatever toilet paper I wanted! I guess it's kind of funny because of what it was but really it was this sudden realization that I wasn't tied to his stupid choices anymore and I was free to make my own decisions.

Living Example
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having lost my wife of 48 years after a lengthy illness, I can say I would gladly trade my new independence for just one more day with her.

Don Shell
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being free from the responsibility of having to make someone else happy is liberating, 6 years divorced and haven't been happier

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RELATED:
    #2

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced The person you married is not the same person you divorce.

    Royal_Arachnid_2295 , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    trollingergirl
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's often a sobering realization that people can change in ways we never anticipated.

    General Anaesthesia
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And that you shouldn't think that you can change them in ways you want.

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    DB
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes you're the one who is not the same.

    Jason Melvil
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes, it's the exact same person. You just turned a blind eye to all the things that bothered you thinking they'll magically go away.

    Nina
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If they're still the same person, it means you're the one who has changed.

    Lew k
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We need to stop normalizing getting married so young. I don’t know anyone who went from 20 to 40 without changing in some pretty fundamental ways. Yet people think they’re failing if they aren’t married with kids by 30. At that point you’re just gambling that you’re adult selves are going to be compatible.

    My O My
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you get together young you also grow up together a bit and life forms you in a similar way

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    Kobe (she)
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Overall, both change. Life just does do that to us. We grow, get experienced, get our highs and lows...Change for or the better or not, that is the question. And sometimes even both grow for the better - but just further apart in different ways...

    Blondie23
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sooooooooooooo true!!!! Also, the person you divorce can show you sides of the person you married that you never knew existed.

    Doodles1983
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me ex and I were. We are still great friends. Which is how we began.

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    Despite common misconceptions, the last few decades have seen a decline in such stories.

    In 2000, a total of 944,000 divorces and annulments occurred, and the crude divorce rate was 4.00 per 1,000 population during that year. By 2021, it had fallen to 2.5 per 1,000 population, with just 689,308 people divorcing that year.

    (Interestingly, the marriage rate has declined too, dropping from 8.2 per population in 2000 to 6.00 per population in 2021.)

    #3

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced I expected to be heartbroken but mostly just felt relieved.

    oddwithoutend , Ozan Çulha / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Pandemonium
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Was deeply heartbroken for longer than I would've liked, but the relief arrived and has lasted much longer than the heartache. Time heals, but it takes, um, time.

    Candid Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once it ended, even though I initiated it, I kept expecting to feel heartbroken, however I realized that the grief I expected to feel had already happened during the last 2 years of the relationship.

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was never officially married, just common-law. But when I broke up a 9 year relationship with my common-law husband (boyfriend, you could also say) that we had a kid together, the hardest part was telling our daughter her dad wasn't going to live with us anymore, and dealing with his parents coming in to pick up his stuff, very aggressively and loud to the point I took my daughter out to eat because it was upsetting her even more. Once we got back they were all gone. I checked everywhere to see what exactly they took. Nothing that was mine, thankfully. I thought I was going to be all sad but I was elated and put on some Mika. It wasn't long that my kid felt relieved, too. She would rather have a happy mom than sad mom.

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My oldest friend broke up with her partner when their daughter was 11, she said she was glad when it eventually happened because her parents were happier and so was she.

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    Guess Undheit
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The same goes for cutting off contact with "family". No longer suffering constant stress and abuse shows how weighted down you were now that you can fly.

    Alicia M
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was so done by the time I left that I didn't cry at all. It was sweet relief.

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    #4

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced Not me, but my dad and I once had a conversation about it. Basically he was pissed that he lived with 4 women and the top of the fridge was always dirty. ( He's 6'2" and the only one who could see it) he said once he was on his own he realized he should have just cleaned it himself.

    katrose73 , Charlotte May / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    sofacushionfort
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit.”

    Candid Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like he was blaming other women for something he should have been doing himself all along.

    Guy Bare
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And it took him so many years to come to this conclusion..

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    royal_antelope
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So he was pissed that the four women weren't his slaves. Got it.

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well at least he got it eventually.

    Lew k
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There shouldn’t be any their job/ my job in marriage. If something needs done and you have the time, do it. Just because my wife normally does the laundry doesn’t mean it’s her job. If im home and have the time I do it. Treat it as a partnership in a mutually successful enterprise. If I get that thing done my wife may have more time to relax later and she does the same for me. If she’s been extra busy at work I try to get more done to give her some relief and during the summer while I work outside in the desert heat she does things like my laundry because im exhausted a lot. Do for each other instead of worrying who’s doing more.

    Lame Llama
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah, so cleaning was the women's job. He deserves to be alone if that was the attitude.

    #5

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced Freedom after being controlled is amazing. Even in the little things. .

    Beerwithjimmbo , Nathan McBride / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Meaghan Stewart
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I could finally write whatever I wanted.

    Guy Bare
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Back time, First thing was to go in a night club with my friends. Felt so free...

    Lizz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or text whoever I wanted without constantly having to justify it.

    weatherwitch
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's an escape unlike any other ❤️

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    #6

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced That I actually wasn’t the problem and how much of myself and my energy got diluted and stolen by him.

    Moist_Departure_3975 , Ephraim Mayrena / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Lizz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Idem... Not divorced yet but so relieved and much more energy when he's not home.

    SuperChicken
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Big hugs, Lizz. I hope things get better for you.

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    Sandra Morison
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Five years on and I am like a different person, full of fun, positivity , in a relationship where he hears me and values me

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    #7

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced I felt even more lonely when I was married.

    bunbunzinlove , Dương Nhân / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Guy Bare
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel that too, sometimes... maybe too many times actually.

    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could be worse, could have been saddled with the mother as well.

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    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That really tells you all you need to know

    #8

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced That the person I thought was the love of my life and soulmate could be so unbelievably cruel.

    RickLeeTaker , MART PRODUCTION / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Amy E
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wonder if my ex thought I was cruel for kicking him out after his dozenth time cheating on me?

    Cat Chat
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If he's anything like my dad. 40+ years later and he still blames the divorce on my mom since she's the one who kicked him out and filed. Apparently 5 affairs, and naming one child after his then mistress isn't grounds. 🙄

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    veirdbuttrue
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is really sad. Just goes to show that you never really know anyone.

    MarTa
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was and still i m shocked and heartbroken, because i never believed him when he said that if i leave him, i would never see my son again. I did and he made sure that my son, who i raised for 13 years on my own, hasn't spoken to me in 2 years. I text and call him weekly and i won't give up until he does.

    Damienne Rowe
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ha ha, mine was the same, better of without them. You will see that in the end!

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    #9

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced I always thought my older girls would one day resent me for getting divorced from their dad. 20 years plus later they told me it was one of the best things I ever did for myself and for them.

    sanantoniogirl71 , leah hetteberg / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Cat Chat
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Both my parents are each twice divorced (once from each other, and each from a 2nd marriage). I applaud and am proud my mom eventually stood up for herself each time. Not so much for my dad for cheating on mom. His 2nd divorce was from my ex-stepmom cheating. He was livid about it, but still mad at my mom for divorcing him. Hypocrite.

    Glen Ellyn
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "It's better to come from a broken home than to live in one." My granddaughters agree. They are both happier and much more relaxed since my daughter divorced their dad.

    Comedy Clumbers
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I cannot begin to find the vocabulary to express how much I wish my parents had divorced YEARS EARLIER than they did. I swear, my Daddy is perfect except he has terrible taste in women. Hell, I'd wish they'd never met except I adore my younger sister.

    Sunshine Lady
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same, but mine are still married, living as roommates. 33 years of marriage, they were speaking about divorce since I was a toddler. They both have their good and bad sides, just not compatible.

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    DB
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heard that from my son.

    JK
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same, I spent a long time in a very unhappy marriage (tbf, by the end we could be both be awful to each other, i just no longer found his manchild attitude as sweet and endearing after 10yrs being HIS mum!) - I stayed "for the kids" until I realised how they were learning what couples should be from us, and i did not want any of my kids growing up and being miserable like I was (amongst other things). Once it was just me and the kids, we all started laughing more, no one hid at loud noises/words, I was so much more relaxed and definitely a better parent, I even dropped 3 dress sizes because we were eating properly and getting out more. Sometimes the best thing FOR your kids, is for you NOT to be with the other parent. It is better to coparent with someone you tolerate, than live in hostility until you despise the other.

    Debbie
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My parents should have divorced 15 years ago. My mom is almost always complaining about my dad (well tbh I think she has a low opinion on men anyways, expect the spiritual ones. My dad is absolutely not spiritual). Now, they are both in their seventies and too intertwined. They do love eachother. But still complain a lot. They both would be unhappier without eachother. Still wouldn't have minded if they were divorced, I don't think I they gave a good example of a good relationship. Bad communication.

    Blondie23
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I could have made my mother realize this. I love my parents but they should not be together. Now they are just together out of habit but they are so cruel to each other. I think they both could have had better lives if they had gotten divorce years ago.

    Doodles1983
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My parents were better off apart.

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    #10

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced How quickly I recovered financially without my ex’s complete dependence on me instead of helping to support the family.

    treecatks , Karolina Grabowska / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Lizz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Being financially independent is so important.... I have a financially dependent spouse and it sucks

    Papa
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My wife is financially dependent on me, and I don't mind. Maybe that's because I'm part of the generation that thought that's the way it should be. That's her choice at least as much as mine, by the way.

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    Blondie23
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My ex used to suck money out of our account to support his "business" which was selling stuff on ebay.... I later found out that any profit he made went to his habit of strippers and drinking. Without him in my life I have A LOT more money!

    HolyDiver
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My career skyrocketed after my divorce! Same for my mental health.

    longlivethequeen554
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! It took a long time and I'm still bitter but I got there

    #11

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced How starved for love and affection I was and how much confidence in myself I had lost.

    ineedamathclass , Sofia Alejandra / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Bananic
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i feel this so much. hope you've found and now love your self worth 🤍

    Paul C
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And also how many men my now ex-wife had slept with on the quiet during our marriage, when I had never dreamed she would cheat. She always talked about so many of her friends cheating. I felt I was lucky she didn't, even if she was not very affectionate and rarely passionate. How stupid I was.

    Tamra
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think you should feel stupid. It's not wrong or naive to want to trust your partner, and since she broke that trust, that's all on her, not you.

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    #12

    I am not the same person I was almost 6 years ago. A part of me had to die for the rest of me to flourish and see how bright the world truly is. It isn’t the end of the world when divorce happens, it’s the beginning of a new adventure! I’m also shocked at how long a bag of Doritos lasts in my home now. And they are all for me!

    GuppyGirl1234 Report

    tw 72
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not only Doritos but - everything is right where you left it, the stuff in the fridge that was planned for dinner is still there, no surprises on the credit card

    Simo
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You deserve better nachos too!

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    #13

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced It hurts like hell even if you should have done it years ago.

    Crkshnks432 , Liza Summer / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Bananic
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you can be sad after making the right decision

    Marjorie Macrae
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes it takes a long time to recover and find a new you.

    Debbie
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I felt guilty for a long time for breaking his heart. But I couldn't continue. How can I stay in a relationship when the love is gone? Yes I cared/care for him, I wish him the best, but we're not compatible anymore. Knowing your love for your partner has died hurts as well. We tried therapy, where I hoped to find a spark again, but I more and more viewed him as a stranger who I was not attracted to.

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The pain isn't from the loss of the marriage you had. It's the loss of the marriage you thought you'd create by hanging in there and working on yourself and the relationship.

    Spittnimage
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't feel hurt, I felt like I was free after taking care of him for 11 years. Best of all, I was happy again.

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    #14

    How much calmer I am. I had turned into a nasty person always yelling at my ex for not cleaning and doing basic chores for himself. I did not want to be a mom to a grown child who had yet to realize he was an adult. Life is much more peaceful. The silence after was worth it.

    Pristine_Ad5229 Report

    Amy E
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Weaponized incompetence is real, glad they escaped.

    dat581
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It doesn't actually exist. What you see is a result of your poor behaviour and lack of understanding. What you miss is that if you complain about petty things, which quite obviously you do, he is not going to lift a finger for you. What he should have done is shown you the door as soon as you turned into a nagging hag. Bait and switch is real.

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    Mingey
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The constant resistance to everything...!!!!!!!

    dat581
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like he is far better off without you. What women like yourself never realise is being nasty and nagging will guarantee that a man will not do a thing you nag him to do. He was never a man child but you certainly were the evil witch. You never seem to figure out that being nasty does not work and that you should try another way. But you keep banging your head against that wall until you had utterly destroyed your marriage.

    Stephanie A Mutti
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yes!!!! The silence is golden as is the music I play whenever and wherever I want in my home.

    DB
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You may have been raising an adult child but you were also acting like one.

    #15

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced That none of our friends believed that my ex was abusive. He was a covert narcissist and was extremely charming. I never knew who he really was even after 25 years.

    SuperIngaMMXXII , MART PRODUCTION / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Jill Rhodry
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Two things - you never know what goes on behind closed doors, so don't judge - second: - I had my own covert who become malignant after heart surgery (apparently realising their own mortality can trigger this), now as strange as this is going to sound it helped when I heard - 'if they're charming out there and cruel behind doors, they know what they're doing' (because they're turning if 'off' and 'on' at will )- OMG!!!! seriously?! I'd always thought that he gave his best to everyone else and his worst to us but it still never clicked how deliberate it all was - I don't know why knowing this makes it better (?) it seems as though it should make it worse but it doesn't.

    Cat Chat
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I won't claim this applies to you, because I don't know you. But for some people, that realization helps because, without it, they feel at least partly guilty that they are at fault or to blame. I'm glad you got out of your situation.

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    DB
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not my ex. She was upfront nasty to everyone. My abusive, narcissistic parents put up a facade that had everyone fooled.

    Lizz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes it takes a long time to realize it's them and not you. There's no shame in that. Don't think about the "wasted" years but look to the years to come that you can enjoy life.

    Pollymere
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I split up with my emotionally and physically abusive ex he got our friends. They couldn't believe that such a nice guy who went to church every Sunday deserved me leaving him and thought I was being horribly cruel. I'll admit that meeting someone who treated me kindly and loved me for who I am did give me the courage to leave so in their eyes I'd left him for another man.

    IYAAYAS64
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This! I lived with this for 15 years

    DeeDee M
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is the worst feeling on earth. I'm so glad you got away. ❤️

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    #16

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced He was able to feed and to take care of our daughter all by himself too! Who would have seen that coming?

    CamillaMiles , Nathan Dumlao / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    DB
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw the complete opposite. She couldn't do even the simplest things. Fortunately her sister was there to help.

    #17

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced You can almost die from grief and disappointment.

    heartofgold48 Report

    Debbie
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You actually can die of a broken heart.

    Amy E
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fr, at first it physically hurts

    WakandaPanda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People don't realise the feeling of grief from a lost relationship, as they are still alive, but you're not connected, so no immediate closure !

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    #18

    That you can survive on your own. A lot of time is spent wondering how you can make it on your own after so many years together. You can do it and it can be better on the other side.

    primemn Report

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    #19

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced That relationship PTSD is a thing. I have a hard time even forming new friendships with people, much less trying to date.

    slh236 , Dev Asangbam / unspplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Meaghan Stewart
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    7 years on and I’m still horrified at the idea of a relationship.

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It took a good ten years for my brother to recover mentally from his marriage. He's with an absolutely lovely woman now, and I couldn't be more grateful.

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trust in others and faith in your own judgment can be huge losses after a bad union. If you learn from it and limit yourself to new and different mistakes, rather than repeating a fruitless pattern, you can regain both.

    Sandra Morison
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It took me 2 years just to think straight then another 1 sorting out a new home and now so happy. Not all men are like your ex whatever he was .in your own time try dating, taking a chance.....just don't accept any c**p x

    Lizz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trust issues... that's my trouble... I try to trust but part of me is still dubious of what they're telling me or what they did without me.

    Anne Roberts
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree. After my controlling and abusive spouse passed away (and I found out what he had been up to), I don't think I could trust again.

    #20

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced That it's easier to be content with your life when you aren't feeling hurt, used, or ignored.

    Missdermeanerthanyou , https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-standing-on-grass-field-frq5Q6Ne9k4 / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #21

    A lot of the people you think are your friends aren’t. If you met them through your spouse they may drop you like a hot rock when you divorce. Do not become too invested in other people’s families. You can watch their kids, be there through illness, attend weddings and funerals etc and 20 years later they might act like they’ve never met you. Mind your own and let them mind theirs. No partner at all is worlds better than a bad partner.

    DelightfulandDarling Report

    Candid Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No partner is better than a bad partner. It bears repeating.

    WakandaPanda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Something that travels faster than light is the disappearance of your 'so called' mutual friends after you're divorced !

    tw 72
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In their defense, you don't know what stories/lies your ex told them about you. I learned that one afterwards.

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    Amy E
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They were all my friends and stayed my friends bc I built and nurtured sincere relationships with them instead of just occasionally existing in their presence.

    Zuliaa!!! 🇨🇦️
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Of course we dropped him! Just like he dropped his wife of 20+ years. Best thing is he was also dropped by his pregnant mistress....

    Curbz81
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of my ex’s friends have stayed close with me. When i first met them all i thought they were great, they were part of the reason i was with him, birds of a feather flock together right? So when he cheated I remember being upset that i would lose these people in my life. As much as my ex hates it, his friends are still really nice to me and invite me out.

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    #22

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced Pretty much how awesome life can be with a caring, kind, supportive spouse. I had no idea how bad I had it until the old one abandoned ship, and I met the true love of my life.

    Relax-Enjoy , Nathan Dumlao / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #23

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced How easy and cheap (for us free at city hall, a small lunch for the best man and maid of honor) it is to get married, and how time consuming and expensive it is to get divorced.

    K_R_O_O_N , RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Ryan Smith
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The lawyers say: Love is grand... divorce is 25 grand.

    Kobe (she)
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Money spent on the wedding 5000 euro or so. Money spent on the divorce.... 500 euro

    wyngerd
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well my netherlands experience is way more expensive. Wedding 3500 Euro. Divorce mediator 12.000 euros getting my ex to fullfill the divorce convenant. 140.000 euros and caunting.

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    JK
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always said, if they made getting married as difficult as it is to get divorced, less people would divorce and more people would marry the right person for them. It is *gruelling*

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    #24

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced Shouldn’t have been surprising, but “It takes two people to keep a marriage together. It only takes one to tear it apart.” A therapist taught me this, which was revelatory. It helped me to stop believing there was some way I could save it, even as my partner was trying to actively sabotage it.

    Utterlybored , SHVETS production / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In a marriage you are a team. If one f*cks up, the team is f*cked.

    #25

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced Not from my experience, but having children with your ex means you're not really rid of them, ever. They will always be around unless the children choose to remove them from their lives at some point. That includes the extended family, too, so it's a package deal at every event. It's not like they magically go away after the kids turn 18, though you do get to deal with them a little less.

    magicrowantree , Alexander Dummer / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    pineapple87
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why I'm so happy I had the sense to divorce before we had kids. The choices I've made are looking more and more like I may never have a family, but I don't regret it because shared custody with him would have been an absolute nightmare.

    Scarlett O'Hara's Ghost
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've chosen to spin this in a different way. My ex made a mess of my life. He was horrible and abusive and threatened to kill our son and I. He was kind enough to leave us alone after the divorce. Just up and left. It was a gift, really. My current husband adopted my son when he was 3 so we got to raise him without the hassle of every other weekend b******t and someone questioning our every decision and complaining about child support. Now that our son is an adult and we talk about it, he's thankful that he was raised in a stable 2 parent loving home and chooses to accept the gift that his sperm donor gave him. Stability. Instead of dwelling on abandonment issues

    Mabelbabel
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My husband was a single parent of 3 under-5s when we started dating. Their mother abandoned them-she only ever turned up for 1 in 5 meetings, she ignored birthdays, Christmas, school events, everything. Her parents were the same-these are their only grandchildren, they live in the same town, and they haven't seen any of them since not long after they were born. When we were married, the grandparents tried to start a legal custody battle-even though they hadn't seen the children in 10 years, they didn't want me to be allowed parental responsibilities. That got thrown out immediately thankfully, but biological family isn't necessarily good family and doesn't mean that they've got the children's best interests at heart.

    Glen Ellyn
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My daughter is dealing with this. Her ex constantly blames her completely for their divorce: "You wanted this! This is going to destroy the girls!" (Um, no. They're much happier now.)

    Debbie
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have amicable contact, though when we spend more than an hour at the same place/together I get annoyed at things he does/says again. So many times it is another confirmation that I made the right decision.

    StrangeOne
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've actually been having little to no contact with my kid's dad's family. They call her or email her on her cellphone, only. Living in an apartment means they don't need to come up to my door, just the doors to the building to pick her up. I've only seen them momentarily once as they drove by. Good riddance.

    DustBunny
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LOUDER. This doesn’t get said enough: If you aren’t absolutely sure you’d want to spend the rest of your life with them—and if they haven’t demonstrated that you can trust them— don’t have kids with them. Kids are a far bigger commitment than marriage.

    JK
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got lucky, his family cut him out about 6 months before we split (even though I tried to keep them updated, they ignored me and our kids entirely) and then he got bored of them once he realised hed have to actually parent them, so he literally disappeared on them for 9 years. Now theyre almost all over 15 he's been creeping in their dms. I would never stop them having contact, but theyre just not interested in him at all. And he has no-one to blame but himself (ok, slightly lying, he totally blames me, because nothing has *ever* been his fault, hes practically a saint dont you know /s)

    Kobe (she)
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Divorced my ex like 15 years ago. Three kids together. I still have a good relationship with his father, his sister and her kids though. For birthdays etc, everyone is welcome, except for the ex. And everyone (including my kids) is fine with that,, but him.

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    #26

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced You know, I remember at one point in my marriage thinking "I guess this is just how it works." After being unhappy for so long, it just seemed like the normal. But I've definitely found out that no, it's not how it works! A relationship can be happy and supportive, without you feeling like you have to do all the work!

    anothercrockett , freestocks / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My brother and his partner are both survivors of toxic marriages, and they are loving how it turns out when both people are giving

    MarTa
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My partner and I know what that feels like. And we are greatful we found each other.

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    #27

    Our friends were really his friends.

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    LaDonna Scheppe
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I could upvote this a hundred times.

    #28

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced Although the situation sucks there are many positives that I wouldn’t trade and I’m thankful for. One of those is the realisation of how loved and valued I am by my friends and family. I have been more loved and supported over the last year than during my marriage but I am so thankful for each of my friends and family.

    Brownpantsjnr , Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Amy E
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Single now & more loved than I've ever been in my whole life!!

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    #29

    One side of it is usually already moved on by the time the words "I want a divorce" are uttered leaving only one of the two people involved to be destroyed in the moment, and having to move forward while dealing with the dissolution of the legal side of things.

    sregor0280 Report

    Christina Born
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my case I had a fun year of grieving before I finally filed. I told my (now ex) husband and he got so excited to be on his own and go visit all the national parks within about 2min. See, he had "left" in all ways but moving out over 15yrs before. He was actively trying to sabotage things the last 3 or 4 years I just didn't get the message right away.

    Rachel DaPron
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    God, Christina. I’m so sorry. That person is a coward and I’m sorry you got caught up in that. ❤️

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    Lizz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mentally I've left already.... it's just that I have a dependent spouse and ( too many ) pets that I haven't left yet. I don't want his debt and I don't want my - outside- pets to suffer because he can't support them....

    ManuelQue
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you know people or even a sanctuary that might foster your outside pets? Worth looking into, perhaps.

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    #30

    What a giant, time consuming, inconvenient and expensive pain in the a*s it is to change your last name. You have to provide a complete paper trail of what your last name has been since birth, you have to handle the name change itself with different governmental agencies in a very specific order and if you’ve married more than once and don’t have any of your original certified documentation… it’s gonna cost ya to get those. Birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, passport, etc. You have to have original or certified copies to do this. It was BRUTAL during Covid. Then there’s changing your last name at the bank, anything remotely financial (add notarization/medallion signature costs to any paperwork). *Then* there’s all your other minor accounts that have your old last name on it- stuff like retailers, car rental agencies, state toll road accounts, various websites you’ve done business with. Never again.

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    EmAdoresHerKats🇮🇪🇵🇸🇩🇿
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't and wouldn't change my name. My name is important to me and it was under my name i achieved brilliant things i never thought possible, like getting my degrees and my masters in my 40s, becoming successful after leaving school at 12 to work as a cleaner, to finding someone who loved me and was proud of me. All that happened with my last name. I wouldn't give that away.

    Lizz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never did... I only used his sometimes because mine is a pain in the a$$ to spell out all the time.... I 'm proud of my last name... We're tough people and my last name describes that perfectly.

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    Lena Flising
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I kept my last name when we married, as it means something; my great grand-father made the name from his birthplace, and my father kept the name, even when my grand-mother remarried when my father was five years old. My husband took my name, his name meant little to him.

    Sandra Morison
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the UK you have the right to go back to your maiden name by just letting relevant banks, employer, utilities etc

    Noproblem
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was just a small part of everything listed above, but in the U.S. many banks offer notarization service without charge. And some will do it at no charge even if you are not their customer.

    Diana Pahule
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After the wave of red state voter protection laws, and the stories about women have difficulty voting after changing to their husbands name, I decided the last name I'd grown up with, my sperm donor's name, that I hated all my life because no one can pronounce it was just going to be my name forever.

    JK
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the UK you can LEGALLY change your name by a deed poll certificate template you can print out yourself. As long as it is signed by you and a separate witness and contains the right wording it is absolutely fine. Just dont forget to contact the town hall where your birth was issued and update the records, otherwise youre golden!

    Sleepy Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So many of these are written by women.

    Courtney Christelle
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was born with my last name and I fully intend to take it with me to the grave. I think changing your last name is an outdated idea, not including people who genuinely want to.

    MarTa
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I totally agree! I didn't give in to changing my last name even when my ex really pushed me to and was upset for about a year after our wedding. I just don't t see the logic in doing so.

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    #31

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced Lawyers are expensive.

    CatchABeatRunnin , Ruthson Zimmerman / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    DB
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Worse when your ex has lawyers in her immediate family. She had access to free legal advice 24/7 from people who knew how to manipulate the system.

    Lee Banks
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine was uncontested, no shared property, amicable, and my lawyer did it for free. Still cost $300.

    #32

    35 People Share The Most Surprising Things They Learned From Getting Divorced How many men I knew that wanted to date me lol.

    Ok_Acanthisitta5022 , Vija Rindo Pratama / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

    DB
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Women too. It was amazing.

    Amy E
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sooo many confessions come out of the woodwork!

    Lizz
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or to suspect one's patiently waiting for me to move out...

    SupaCab
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This, I had a "friend" who couldn't even wait 24hrs after I left the house before we swooped in.

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    #33

    Never been divorced but people should know that a prenup is not a rock solid contract. Made her sign the right before the wedding? She was under duress and the prenup is now null and void.

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    Emma S
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In England and Wales they are not legally binding. Courts can take them into account when deciding who gets what, but the courts have discretion to ignore the pre nup if it is unfair to one party or children.

    Rachel DaPron
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right before the wedding? Out of nowhere? Is this literal? Like guests are seated? If so, I’m glad the courts listened to her.

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    #34

    You give up a lot of yourself in a marriage. Not just emotionally and physically. But the day to days. For instance. My ex wife was a Goo Hoarder. Soaps, Perfumes, Lotions, Shampoos, Conditioners, make up. You name it. For 7 years of my life I Never needed to buy deodorant, Or Shampoo, Or Body Wash, Or shave lotion, or hand soap. The first problem I encountered after getting divorced was when I went to go buy my own goo. I couldn't find a lot of the brands I liked from my marriage. God knows where she got them, and none of the scents I used before my marriage even existed anymore. So I had to figure out scents, and experiment with my sensitive skin, and gauge price all over again. It was figuring out a me I didn't know anymore.

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    Feathered Dinosaur
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Man discovers the concept of Mental Load"

    Lame Llama
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So he has never appreciated all these when he was married huh?

    Sleepy Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like this is the first one written by a man, and it's him complaining about having to buy his own personal hygiene products again.

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    #35

    Fighting doesn't end once you're divorced, it can get worst. Now there is no bond to put a stop at how far you can escalate things.

    adaemman Report

    pineapple87
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In my case, I decided to stop fighting two years after the divorce. When my ex tried to pick a fight over stuff that should have been ancient history, I told him we could sit down and discuss it like adults but I wasn't going to listen to his insinuations anymore. He decided to stop talking to me altogether. I have no need to stay on his good side anymore. He can hate me if he wants, but I don't have to take the bait.

    Jill Rhodry
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This!!! You need at least two to have a fight and now you can just close the door in their face and not listen to their c**p.

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    Amy E
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And you don't know what they're capable of which is why they are to be avoided at all costs. It's scary!