Charmed Divorce

INTRODUCTION At one of our bi-weekly coffee dates, we were talking about all the crazy stuff we were encountering with our divorces. We shared stories of court dates, child custody issues, and all the insanity that surrounds a divorce. As we left the coffee shop, we looked at each other and said at the same moment, “ I feel it’s our duty to warn others about what they’re in for.” We laughed, and both looked at each other and agreed, ”Yes, we must” and that is how Charmed Divorce was born. What is a Charmed Divorce? It’s a divorce that focuses on the positive. It’s a way to let go of the past and move forward with your life with grace, dignity, and a sense of humor. In this book, we are going to share our secrets to experiencing divorce the Charmed way. We are here to tell you that the dreaded “D” word does not have to be devastating. Divorce CAN happen in a positive way. Divorce is a journey from being with another person to being independent. On the journey through divorce, the events can be joyful, scary, sad, funny, and downright unnerving. There are times when the sky is clear and times when you think the sun will never shine again. And yes, there will be many storms. It is important to view this process as a journey and not as a static, unchanging event. In fact, there will be many changes, and it’s important to stay level headed through the many storms thrown your way. The storms will pass, and the sun will shine again. Though we are friends and coauthors of this book, we are both on our separate journeys. Some of our experiences have been similar, and some have been different. We each had our moments of breakdowns when we helped each other through it. On the flipside, we’ve had great laughs, many at the expense of our exes. We share some of these experiences with you along with the lessons we have learned. You will get your divorce over and done with as quickly and safely as possible. Whatever situation you’re in, you will get through it. We are here to help you through your personal journey and get you to a new, better version of your fabulous self. It is now your journey to having a Charmed Divorce. A Little About Us We have both gone through changes as a result of our divorces. We’ve taken hits and become strong. We’ve gained confidence in ourselves and our beliefs. We learned that we could get through a divorce gracefully and with dignity. We even learned how to work the remote control. In the past few years, one of us got an MBA, the other a law degree, and both of us received a first class education in divorce. As we were going on this journey, we discovered that keeping our minds, bodies, and spirits aligned played a crucial role in maintaining our sanity through the difficulties of divorce and recovery. We share these experiences with you to guide you, comfort you, and sometimes help you see the humor in it all. We were both in marriages lasting over ten years. Divorce is difficult, especially with children. We both made every attempt to do what we could to save the marriage. In spite of our efforts, it was not enough. Divorce happens. There was hurt, sadness, and anger on both sides. We recognize that some relationships are not made to be forever. We felt it was important to share this information for those who may be contemplating divorce or similar situations. We are here to share our trials and tribulations throughout this process. You are not alone. Always remember: This too shall pass. You will get through this process and even find some things to laugh about. You will become a stronger, more confident person in the end. This book is a reference guide. It will help you when you are having a bad day or when you are not sure how to manage aspects of your divorce. It will help remind you to take care of yourself. You can read it cover-to-cover, or skip to the sections that are relevant to you. The ultimate goal is to help you to get through a tough time of your life, to know that you have support, and show you that it can be done with a bit of grace, a bit of humor, and a lot of charm. Society usually portrays divorce as a bad thing. We are writing this book to change that societal perception. It’s difficult when divorce happens, but some things are not meant to last, and it’s okay to let it go. A divorce can set a person free, cause them to grow, and challenge them to find happiness. This guide will help you move on with the next chapter of your life. We guarantee if you go into your divorce with the correct mindset, it will be one of the greatest chapters! We do have one critical piece of advice to give you before you go any further: GET LAID