Should you throw yourself a 🎉 divorce party?
Have you heard of a Divorce Party? Hang black balloons, play pin the tail on the ex? I wanted to commemorate the next chapter of my life, but chanting, “I do, I did, I’m done” around a bonfire roasting my wedding dress? That didn’t really resonate with me.
When I got divorced, I was feeling disconnected from my friends because I was in the phase where all I did was talk about myself and my emotions. (I guess I’m still in that phase??)
And yet I wanted to mark the occasion of divorce and moving out — into my friend’s spare bedroom! — so she and I decided it was time for a party.I didn’t want an exorcism of my husband, but rather something forward-looking and celebratory. More like a housewarming.
I can’t tell you how therapeutic it was to focus on co-hosting and the dozens of little preparation tasks. Cleaning the house, finding coolers for the ice, cooking appetizers.
We invited her friends and my friends — many of whom were close with my ex as well.
It was a celebration of the Next Chapter, rather than a reflection on what went wrong, and who did what to whom. It allowed the people who were friends of both my ex and me to come together without “picking sides.”
Did I invite my ex and his new squeeze? No.
But nor did I talk about him, or our divorce, at this event.
The whole night was forward-looking and positive. I met new friends and reconnected with some I hadn’t seen in ages.
If you’re considering marking this life transition, grab your people and let them celebrate YOU. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Spa Day
Cocktail Party
Housewarming
Paint & Sip
Cooking Class
Roller skating (remember those birthday parties in the back room?!)
Fishing
Camping
BBQ
Beach Day
Warmly,
Sarah đź––
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