Divorce can be difficult at the best of times. Going through a divorce when you are essentially trapped in the same house as your spouse, is even more challenging.
In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to deal with divorce during lockdown.
Allocate a space in the house which is solely yours
Not being able to leave the house other than for essentials and an hour’s worth of exercise, means that many of us are spending more time at home than ever before. Being stuck in a small space with a spouse who you are in the process of divorcing is never going to be easy. But with some compromise and understanding, you should hopefully be able to make the situation more bearable.
Setting aside a room, or a space within a room, that you can retreat to when it all gets too much, is essential. Agree with your spouse that when you are in your space (and they are in theirs) they are not allowed to disturb you.
Having this place to retreat to should hopefully help to relieve tension and reduce arguments.
Just because you can’t go out, it doesn’t mean you can’t spend an evening with friends
Apps like Houseparty and Zoom make it really easy to have drinks with friends, even when you can’t all be in the same room.
Socialising with others can help you to relax and hopefully put you in a better frame of mind for dealing with the days that lie ahead. Plus, it should give you some respite from having to deal with your relationship breakdown.
Remember that this will pass.
Nothing lasts forever. The current difficult situation we’re all enduring will pass. It’s important to hold on to this, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
It’s perfectly natural and normal to be feeling anxious and worried about Covid-19 and what the future holds. Your spouse will probably be feeling this way, too. Rather than letting this stressful situation cause more tension in what is already a difficult situation for you and your spouse, use it as time to take stock of what’s important and to begin to plan your future.
Our divorce lawyers are taking appointments via video calls during the pandemic. Get in touch to book your free initial consultation.