Dr. Anita K Smith

Love Yourself: Rebuilding Self-Worth After Divorce
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Love Yourself: Rebuilding Self-Worth After Divorce

Dr. Anita K. Smith
Dr. Anita K. Smith
Divorce Coach
Personal Finance Coach

When your marriage ends, it does not mean that your life ends.

Divorce has a way of shaking the foundation of who we are and how we see ourselves.

When the dust settles, many people going through a divorce (men and women) are left wondering: “how am I going to make it?” or asking the question: “Who am I now?”

After signing the divorce papers, your heart may still ache, you may still cry a lot, and you still may feel ashamed. My friend, all is not lost.   

You can rebuild. You can love yourself again, and then others. You must know that your self-worth is not up for negotiation.

Divorce does not define you now or in the future. You Can Make It! 

Rebuilding your self-worth after divorce is not about pretending that you are okay. Most importantly, it’s about healing emotionally and transforming your life into something beautiful. However, rebuilding does not mean rushing into a new relationship or rushing back into the world with a bright smile on your face. Time heals all wounds. It’s about working on your inner self and learning to love yourself again, through the lens of faith, grace, patience, and honesty.

After my divorce was finalised, I stood in front of the mirror not recognizing the woman staring back. Not because I looked different, but because I felt like I had lost the core of who I was. My confidence was really low, not by the breakup itself, but by many years of compromising, self-neglect, and emotional depletion that preceded it. Does that sound familiar to you?

The journey to rebuilding self-worth after divorce is not about reinventing yourself to be “bitter”—it’s about returning to yourself and beginning to love yourself to become a “better” person. 

I want to share with you seven practical strategies that I utilised which helped me through my divorce recovery, along with helping several of my clients through their healing process. The advice given is very beneficial in helping you heal, recover, thrive, and love yourself again post-divorce.   

  1. Honour Your Healing Timeline

There is no timeframe or schedule for healing. Whether you’re six months or six years post-divorce, give yourself permission to feel, grieve, and process. Your pace is your power. Don’t rush your comeback to please other people or prove anything.

  1. Reconnect With Who You Were Before Getting Married

Ask yourself: What things brought me joy before I started dating and got married? What passions did I put on hold? Reignite things that you probably forgot about (i.e. travel, hobbies, painting, movies, journaling, etc.). Join the fitness or dance class. That original version of you still exists—it’s time to spark things up and come alive.

  1. Be Kind To Yourself

The inner critic may be loud, but you can turn down the volume. Start by replacing “I failed” with “I made a courageous decision.” Divorce is not a failure—it’s a chapter that ended so a better one could begin. Write affirmations that speak life into your new season.

  1. Protect Your Peace and Set New Boundaries

Many people coming out of divorce feels like they must overextend themselves—to prove they’re still “together” or to avoid disappointing others. But rebuilding self-worth starts with saying no to what drains you and yes to what empowers you.

  1. Surround Yourself With Positive Professionals

Mental Therapists. Divorce coaches. Support groups. Uplifting podcasts. Affirming books. Find the voices that encourage growth—not bitterness. Rebuilding self-worth requires a support system that sees your light even when you can’t.

  1. Celebrate the Small Victories

Some days, getting out of bed and making a cup of coffee is victory. Other days, you may land a new job, reconnect with friends, or even smile without effort. Count it all. Each step forward is a seed planted in your healing garden.

  1. Define Happiness On Your Terms

No longer do you need to chase a picture-perfect life. You get to decide what a joyful, fulfilled life looks like now. That might mean solo travel, starting a business, going back to school, or simply enjoying quiet nights in your own space. You can define your own happiness. 

Begin Again…Love Yourself Again

Loving yourself first after divorce doesn’t mean you’ll never feel lonely or uncertain. It simply means that you recognise your worth is not tied to someone else’s love, presence, or validation.

It’s yours—currently rooted in who you are and who you are becoming.

You’re not just existing; basically, you’re rebuilding. 

Always Remember—“You Can Make It!”

When I wrote my book, You Can Make It: How to Start Living Your Victorious Life, I was writing not just from the lessons that I learned, but from the pain that I had survived.

The book was born from a place of loss—but also from hope. In it, I guide men and women through healing, rediscovery, transformation, and restoration. Not through hype, but through truth: that you are still valuable, still powerful, and still capable of joy.

You can make it, even if today doesn’t feel like it. You can smile again, dream again, and fall in love again, starting with yourself.

Read more articles by Dr. Anita Smith.

About Dr. Anita Smith

Dr. Anita K. Smith is a Life After Divorce Coach, Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), Financial Advisor, and Keynote Speaker.

Dr. Anita is the award-winning, Amazon.com, published author of “You Can Make It: How To Start Living Your Virtuous Life.”

Dr. Anita works with individuals who are “single again” after divorce and help clients cope with change and uncertainty in their new life by using tools and techniques to transform, heal, recover, and eliminate pain, grief, and loss of the relationship or marriage breakup. She knows firsthand the effects and emotions of going through a divorce, and how it can wreak havoc on your life, and may cause you to experience health issues, financial issues, and relational issues.

Dr. Anita can help you regain your self-esteem and your self-worth. She will guide you, motivate you, and encourage you to become a CHAMPION AGAIN with practical solutions that you can implement right away to break free from a victim mindset and develop a warrior mindset. After working with Dr. Anita, you will recover, re-ignite, and rebuild your life AND finances after divorce.

Instagram: @dr.anita.k.smith

Instagram: @life_after_divorce_coaching

Website: lifeafterdivorcecoaching.net

You can make it after financial setbacks
Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash

Life after divorce – You can make it after financial setbacks

Dr. Anita K. Smith
Dr. Anita K. Smith
Divorce Coach
Personal Finance Coach

Divorce is something that you cannot adequately prepare for; nevertheless, predict the outcome – whether the breakup is amicable or controversial.

Divorce can affect your emotions, your mind, your health, and your future.

It will cause you pain, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and stress; leaving you devastated and defeated. Moreover, it can cause financial burdens and setbacks; preventing you from taking control of your finances.

Couples who divorce focus on the legal aspects: property and assets division, child custody and visitation, mediation, signing the paperwork, and other legalities; however, they sometimes neglect to discuss the financial implications of  post-divorce: joint debts, college funds, medical bills, health coverage, summer camps, etc.

This situation, if left ignored or postposed for extended time periods, will cause economic hardship for women who have sole custody of their children; simply being, mothers choose to stay home and raise their children while fathers become the breadwinner in the family.

If mutually agreeable for both parents to have careers, society often portrays men having higher salaries than women in the workforce and causing huge income gaps; although they are equally qualified and well capable to perform the same job.

Many women who become “single again” after divorce face challenges paying their financial obligations and achieving long-term financial success; compared to men who are divorced, and live alone, because of  income inequality and declining income levels, after divorce. Some women receive financial assistance, such as: alimony (up to 2 years), child support, and state health coverage.

Nevertheless, they are solely responsible for personal, medical, and unexpected bills that arise; which causes them to seek additional streams of income to cover their recurring expenses and adjust their finances to make ends-meet on a regular basis.

A recent financial study conveyed that divorced, single mothers experience a 52% decrease in their finances, while divorced, single fathers experience a 48% increase in their finances, and causes financial difficulties for 80% of women who take care of their children and household expenses, alone, after divorce. This is a major financial setback!

Are you going through a financial crisis and living paycheck to paycheck? Are your bills more than your income? Are you wondering how to get unstuck financially? Are bill collectors calling you every day? Are you feeling overwhelmed and having trouble sleeping at night? Are you going through financial setbacks and don’t know how to make a greater comeback?

If you answered Yes to any of these questions, Now is the time to demolish your self-limiting beliefs, conquer your debt permanently, and become financially free!

There are 3 ways that you can overcome financial setbacks: (1) Get your mind right; (2) Get your health right; and (3) Get your money right.

  1. Get your mind right – Avoid negative thinking and renew your mind daily. Focus on what you can control and what you cannot control. Try mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, walks in the parks, meditation, and listening to good music to break free from worry, depression, and anxiety. Try to understand your emotions and behaviors when it comes to money management.

 

  1. Get your health right – Being in debt is hazardous to your health. You must focus on physical exercises and self-care to eliminate stress. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important to help you manage stress. You must become financially knowledgeable and empowered to break your financial obstacles by implementing practical, financial exercises to improve your situation.
  • Create a budget, evaluate and track your spending for four months, and develop financial plan to get out of debt.
  • Allocate your expenses using the 50/30/20 rule: 50% needs or living essentials; 30% wants – clothing, shoes, electronics, jewelry; 10% – tithes; charity; 10% – savings
  • Cut your expenses – give up some luxuries (cable TV with 300+ channels, shopping, restaurants, movies). Do you really need all of these things? What can you “do without” in your household? Is it a need or a want? Don’t impulse buy (online) while feeling sad or lonely. Spend money wisely.
  1. Get your money right – earn more: find additional income streams to help with your credit card and other bills. Develop a plan to pay your debts off within 1-3 years using the snowball method (lowest to highest) and use the extra money, after paying your bills off, to build your 6-month emergency fund.

Open a savings account: put money in the account for short-term and long-term goals, such as: retirement planning, birthdays, Christmas, family vacations, or family reunions.

Overcoming financial setbacks is possible and achievable. It takes prayer, planning, patience, and perseverance. You must believe in yourself! Seek professional help and start rebuilding your finances today! You Can Make It After Financial Setbacks!

About Dr Anita Smith

Dr. Anita K. Smith is a Life After Divorce Coach, Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), Financial Advisor, and Keynote Speaker.

Dr. Anita is the award-winning, Amazon.com, published author of “You Can Make It: How To Start Living Your Virtuous Life.”

Dr. Anita works with individuals who are “single again” after divorce and help clients cope with change and uncertainty in their new life by using tools and techniques to transform, heal, recover, and eliminate pain, grief, and loss of the relationship or marriage breakup. She knows firsthand the effects and emotions of going through a divorce, and how it can wreak havoc on your life, and may cause you to experience health issues, financial issues, and relational issues.

Dr. Anita can help you regain your self-esteem and your self-worth. She will guide you, motivate you, and encourage you to become a CHAMPION AGAIN with practical solutions that you can implement right away to break free from a victim mindset and develop a warrior mindset. After working with Dr. Anita, you will recover, re-ignite, and rebuild your life AND finances after divorce.

Instagram: @dr.anita.k.smith

Instagram: @life_after_divorce_coaching

Website: lifeafterdivorcecoaching.net

Email: dranita@lifeafterdivorcecoaching.net

Thrive in Life After Divorce

7 Tips to Rebuild and Thrive in Life After Divorce

 

Dr. Anita K. Smith
Divorce Coach
Personal Finance Coach

When saying “I do” to someone and begin planning your wedding together, you  dream of living “happily ever after” with them.

You envision being married and happy like a fairy tale princess. You choose your dress, tuxedo, wedding colors, best man, maid of honor, bridal party, food and beverage for the reception, officiant, venue, and honeymoon location.

You trusted your spouse and wanted to spend your life together, full of love, laughter, and lasting memories. You never thought of getting a divorce!

All of a sudden, what you didn’t think could happen, it did happen…you were getting a divorce! You went from “happy in love” to “heartbroken and lonely” out of love.

Going through a divorce is life-altering and devastating. It can turn your world upside down and affect you emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually. It can leave you helpless and hopeless, and broken and bruised. It can lower your self-esteem; it can make you feel like a victim; it can decrease your confidence; it can make you lose your identity and your mind.

Listen to your inner feelings and accept that the divorce is over. Do not become angry, bitter, or embarrassed because you went through a divorce. Do not give up on life, because you are going through a divorce, or already divorced. Life happens…you are not alone! Whether you were married for five months, 15 years, or 25 years, things will get better!

Naturally, after your divorce, you may have doubts, fears, and negative thoughts flowing through your mind; saying words such as: “I can’t make it; I will never find happiness again; I don’t want to be alone; I am not worthy of being loved, I don’t know how to move on without my ex-spouse, I am just a failure, etc.”

You may also feel that “all hope is lost,” and that “you cannot start over” after divorce.

The truth is: “you can recover, be happy again, rebuild and thrive in life “after” divorce.

Are you ready to feel normal after going through your divorce? Are you tired of being stuck and don’t know “how” to move forward? Are you ready to get your life back and experience joy and happiness? There is hope for you: I want to inspire you, dear, that “you can make it; you will love again; you will survive and smile again!”

Yes, “there is life after divorce!”

To help you jumpstart your new life, and navigate your road to recovery, please consider using the 8 tips listed below:

  1. Forgive your ex-spouse. Forgiveness allows you to be set free and start the recovery process. Holding on to bitterness will keep you stuck. Forgiveness is for you. After forgiving your ex-spouse, forgive yourself also, and let go of it. However, don’t blame yourself for what happened. Move forward!

 

  1. Grieve and mourn. You have to cry and grieve through the hurt, pain, and betrayal. Going through a divorce is similar to experiencing the death of someone you loved so dearly. Allow yourself time to heal.

 

  1. Rediscover who you are: Your new identity. Find out what you like to do (hobbies, favorite foods, things that you used to enjoy before the marriage), and discover new things that you want to explore (opportunities, friendships, etc.) Identify new goals and visions for yourself. Discover who you are: the new YOU!

 

  1. Love yourself again. Focus on getting yourself together – mentally, physically, and spiritually. Spend time alone and take time to go for walks, dinner, movies, and other places alone. Put yourself first…take care of you!

 

  1. Celebrate. Plan celebrations with friends, family, or co-workers when you achieve a milestone in your life. If you lose 10 pounds, wrote a book, traveled to a new destination…celebrate it! Small or large victories…celebrate it!

 

  1. Get financially savvy. Get empowered and take control of your finances. Learn to become financially independent and achieve financial freedom.

 

  1. Seek professional help. Reach out and ask for help. Consult a trained professional and begin the journey to healing, transformation, and recovery. “You Can Make It!”

Click here for more articles by Dr Anita K Smith

About Dr Anita K. Smith

Dr. Anita K. Smith graduated in 2018 from Walden University with a doctorate degree in Finance. She is an inducted member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) at Walden University.

Dr. Anita K. Smith is a Certified Life After Divorce Coach and Personal Finance Coach. She empowers clients to become relentless, courageous, and fearless as they recover, reignite, and rebuild their life after divorce.  Dr. Anita K. Smith is the author of “Strategies of E-Commerce Adoption in a Travel Agency” (2018) and “You Can Make It!” (2020).

If you would like to follow Dr. Anita K. Smith on social media, you can reach her using the links:

dranitaspeaks.com  

Instagram @dr.anitak.smith 

dranitaksmith@gmail.com