How To Make The Most Of Your Separation

[caption id="attachment_830479" align="alignleft" width="1068"] Bigstockphoto.com/Love Pain Hurt Depressive Disappointed Broken Concept[/caption] If you and your spouse have decided to separate, you probably put a lot of thought into that decision. After days or even months of arguing about it, discussing it with each other, with your friends and with your family, you decided that being separated—rather than getting a divorce—is the best option for you. But on the first day of your separation, you may wake up and think, “Now what?” Even though you were reaching a point where you couldn’t stand another day of living with your spouse, you were still very used to life with him. And a separation doesn’t exactly mean you’re single again, so it doesn’t come with that same new lease on life you get after a clean breakup. But you chose this separation because you thought it would be productive, and it can be. Here is how to make the most of your separation. [caption id="attachment_627031" align="alignleft" width="477"] Corbis[/caption]

Set dating rules

First off, you need to have set rules on whether or not the two of you can date during this separation—date other people, that is. If you aren’t clear on this, then one person may end up being unknowingly unfaithful, which will add more problems you don’t need right now.         [caption id="attachment_625898" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Know when it will end

Set an end date for the separation. An alarming amount of couples stay separated for over a decade because nobody wants to handle the decision of, “Will we divorce or stay together?” The only way you’ll feel motivated to make the most of this separation is if you know it will end.     [caption id="attachment_607975" align="alignleft" width="419"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Take a break from communication at first

Take at least a week off from communicating with each other, at first. Really, a whole month would be even more productive. How can you possibly know if you want a life without this person if you don’t give yourself a chance to see what that’s like? And you have to cut off communication to see that.         [caption id="attachment_713314" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Then, set communication rules

When you do begin to communicate again, set rules. These pertain to how often you communicate, to how long each time, what medium you use (Skype, in person, phone calls?) and even what you talk about. Maybe you need to decide you do not talk about things like finances or renovations on the house since those can fog up your base dynamic as a couple.         [caption id="attachment_700070" align="alignleft" width="420"] Woman in therapy. Photo: Shutterstock[/caption]

Continue going to therapy

Continue going to couple’s counseling during your separation. This is actually a great time for your therapist to see how you can interact as a couple when you haven’t come from a day of your normal, stressful lives together. You haven’t been parenting together, or talking to the plumber together; it’s just you and him, raw.           [caption id="attachment_712202" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Add individual therapy if you haven’t already

This helps you separate your issues alone from your issues as a couple. You cannot thrive in any relationship if you have individual issues you haven’t dealt with. Only once you’ve healed personally can you see if your relationship has a chance.           [caption id="attachment_717207" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Meditate every day

Meditate, meditate, meditate. Meditate like it is your job. This will help you get in touch with what you truly want from life, from a partner, and from yourself. If you make a practice of meditating, you’ll see things a little clearer every day.             [caption id="attachment_703763" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Pick your company wisely

Avoid cynical individuals who don’t even believe in marriage—they will alter your perception and make it hard to think straight. But you should also stay away from friends who, despite their best intentions, would stay in a marriage no matter how awful it was, because they don’t want to be alone. Be around individuals who just support your happiness—whether that means staying together or getting a divorce.         [caption id="attachment_717697" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Journal

This is a very important time to take stock of your emotions. Check in with yourself. If you have deep moments of sadness, why is that? What are you thinking about? If you have moments you feel giddy, why is that? Bring this journal to your therapy sessions.             [caption id="attachment_622435" align="alignleft" width="500"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Don’t party too much

You’ll probably want to have a few girls’ nights filled with cocktails and dancing. Good. Blow off some steam. But don’t see this separation as a time to party. You need alone time to think, and if you’re partying, your partner won’t feel you’re respecting the separation.       [caption id="attachment_704225" align="alignleft" width="420"] Image Source: Shutterstock[/caption]

Live the way you would if you were single (without dating)

Try to create a day in the life of you if you were single. Think about it; if you truly were divorced, what would your days look like? Is there a new class you’d take? Would you volunteer? Sleep in? This isn’t to make you want to be alone again, but to help you see the types of activities you should try to integrate into your marriage, should you stay together. It’s a part of what makes you happy.     [caption id="attachment_613151" align="alignleft" width="442"] Corbis[/caption]

Take time to reminisce

You’ve been so caught up in the daily fighting that the last few years of your relationship have been a blur. Reminisce on the times you were really happy. Why was that? Reminisce on the times you had your worst fights? Why was that. You’ll be able to answer these questions more clearly now that you’ve had space, and aren’t clouded by anger.           [caption id="attachment_713452" align="alignleft" width="414"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Map out your relationship

There are probably major events in your relationship that changed one or both of you, at your cores. Someone being laid off, somebody losing a family member…When you’re in these moments, it’s hard to see shifts happening in your personalities. But with some space, you may be able to identify that that event changed you or your partner. Your counselor may be able to help you both heal the issues surrounding that event.         [caption id="attachment_723936" align="alignleft" width="414"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Look at dating sites (just look)

This is an interesting exercise; look at some dating sites. See how that—the simple act of looking at other men as prospective partners—makes you feel. Keep track of which profiles caught your attention. This can teach you a lot about how ready you are to move on from your partner. Or not ready.         [caption id="attachment_627101" align="alignleft" width="420"] Shutterstock[/caption]

Take a solo trip

There’s nothing like going to a new place, all alone, to help you get some perspective. When you’re home, you have responsibilities and the voices of your friends, family, and colleagues in your head. Get away from it all and just be with your thoughts and emotions.

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