It takes a lot to break up with someone you’ve been with for years and grown old together with every aspect of your life practically intertwined. Moving on is even harder. Old age comes with unique challenges, and the thought of doing it alone can be daunting.
The unique challenges of gray divorce
For starters, there’s the financial aspect. It’s likely that you’ve accumulated a significant amount of assets (or debts) with your partner and commingled them over the years. It can be difficult to tell what belongs to whom and how you should divide things fairly when dissolving your marriage.
Add on retirement benefits, social security challenges, rewriting your wills and updating your other estate plans to accommodate the change in your marital status, and you have a lot on your hands. Plus, don’t forget the potential for alimony and long-term care costs as you grow older.
Then there’s the emotional toll it takes on you. After years of being together, it can be hard to imagine or adjust to life without your partner by your side. Your children might have also left home for college or work, leaving you with an empty nest and a sense of loneliness.
Moving forward in New Hampshire
The adage “people need people” rings true in this stage of life. This is not the time to be alone with your thoughts or isolate yourself. Instead, consider trying to connect with family and friends who can offer you emotional support and companionship. Joining social groups or clubs catered towards seniors can also help you find a sense of community and purpose.
Financially, it is important to take inventory of your assets and create a budget that aligns with your new single status. If there’s something you can still do to add to your retirement benefits, now is the time to do it too.
Embrace the tide of change that sweeps your life in the aftermath of a gray divorce. This is not just an end but also the beginning of a new, potentially exciting chapter of your life. Revel in the freedom and independence that singlehood brings. Take it as an opportunity to explore new hobbies, discover untraveled terrains and redefine your life on your terms. Your life can become much better than it ever was before, and you deserve that happiness.
