- Date posted
- Yesterday
My friend from middle school got a divorce :/
Yesterday my friend from middle school that still lives in the state I grew up in messaged me on Instagram to tell me she is getting a divorce. This was totally out of the blue. We talked briefly earlier this year but she said her relationship was going great. I post very openly on my Instagram story and I'm a feminist. She said she liked my posts and thought I should know what's happening in her life. At first I was thinking, wow this is going to be a draining conversation and how will I get out of it without seeming rude. I am overly empathetic and I'm easily effected by other peoples hardships and I am getting better at not trying to fix people and their problems. So trying to avoid her problems was my first instinct so I didn't get too involved. The reverse reaction happened. I was able to share with her that I had a similar experience and I was divorced about 3 years go and I kept the marriage and divorce private and not even my family knew. I explained how hard it was to leave and how he was psychologically, emotionally abusive and manipulative. I didn't want to marry him and I didn't want to be with him so that is why I didn't share it with anyone, it was a disgrace to me. She said that what I shared helped her so much because it showed that people can go through hard times and still be okay. She was so kind and mature while still being down strodden but her situation. I got a sudden urge to clean my apartment and reorganize everything. I moved three weeks ago and I hadn't deep cleaned yet. I would eat in the bathtub and I had ants and residual soap rings on the tub. I avoid cleaning sometimes because it seems overwhelming to me. The conversation I had with her made something click in my brain. I had more emotional progress and mutual understanding in our 2 hr conversation than I had with any of my past therapists. She told me I was strong and that all the things I've overcome where inspiring. I told her how her divorce will be difficult but she obviously has been taking better care of herself and she will have a much better life without him. She trusted me to share details of him being unloyal and acusing her of things she didn't do. I danced for the first time since I've moved in! I love to sing and dance and I didn't feel comfortable in the new space until last night. I sing and dance at work (childcare) but I would always sit at home on my phone stricken with guilt. I put a mirror out in the living room and I listened to some Colombian Cumbia music and kept dancing until I was tired. I then responded to the rest of her messages and told her I was going to go take a bath. I have come so far, I can find energy and solidarity through someone else's hardship rather than feeling pulled down. It was a beautiful moment for both of us. We cried together and we talked about seeing each other for the Christmas season. I think the message is that sometimes things feel like they will trigger you but you might be more emotionally stable than you think. Sharing how terrible my life used to be helped me realize how good it is now. Thanks for reading :)