Divorce and separation can be quite a ride. Up and down. Up and down.

Will it ever stop?

Even before the decision to separate or divorce is made, life can feel like it’s spinning out of control. One day you’re up, the next day you’re down. It can feel like you are losing your mind.

Divorce is a life challenge that impacts many significant areas of one’s life: financial, social, emotional, economical, occupational, geographical and spiritual. It’s not unusual for your emotional state to feel like a rollercoaster ride.

Try to remember that recovering from divorce is very similar to the grieving process we experience when a loved one dies. We have lost an important part of our life. We’ve lost our dreams of living happily ever after. Even if you’re the one who decided to end the marriage, divorce is an adjustment that takes time. Don’t try to rush it.

You may want to find someone like a therapist, a coach or counselor, who can support you. It’s been said that emotion is simply energy in motion, so find some healthy ways for you to let those emotions roll through you. Trying to resist them may instead prolong your healing process. You may also want to try activities such as journaling, exercise and yoga. The important thing is that you find a healthy way to express what you are feeling.

Rest assured as you move through your divorce journey, your emotions will begin to even out. Be patient. Just like the ride at the amusement park, this ride will end as well.