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Sat Nov 10, 2012, 11:53 AM

Damn this is confusing

I got divorced last spring, but I had to keep it secret for a while. I was married to a fellow DUer who hopefully doesn't ever come to this part of DU... I was glad, mostly, to get the divorce. I thought I was only sad for my daughters' sakes, because they love their dad and I never wanted to make them live through divorce. Since we moved back to the US, it's been this weird truce between the two of us, which works sometimes but not all the time. I am living in his childhood home, a house in city in a state I don't like, for the sake of my girls. I'm working at the family thrift store, which is also weird and I have to explain the situation to just about a customer a day because so many people know the ex's parents and they ask me questions. Ok, I'm an adult, I can take it.

But. The ex is leaving, probably for a few months, to be with his fiance and his two year old son. I tell myself I am sad about it because for the first time my girls will be away from their dad for the holidays, with the knowledge that he is with his other family.
But the fact is, it makes me sad too. Really sad. I don't want to get back together with him. But I know that when he comes back there will be another fucking period of adjustment, and we've all been through too much of that lately. The last two weekends, I've meant to do something productive around the house, but I just sit on the couch and cry.

When the ex leaves, I will also have to pay the electricity and phone bills, which he was paying as part of the child support. For the holidays, I will be flat broke, and the girls and I need winter clothes and shoes because we lived in the desert for nine years and we are coming back to what seems like will be a cold winter in Florida. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to get the things I have to have, and I will probably have to sell some jewelry. I guess I should be happy I have some to sell.

But the resentment and sadness and isolation and lack of friends and having no money and being afraid this will always be the way it is is just too hard. I've become a little unhinged. I decided a long time ago that my motto is "Make things better and not worse" and that's at least a good guideline, but sometimes I just can't do it. Sometimes it's impossible to stop myself from simply despairing. I don't even understand myself right now and I want to understand but I think this isn't actually the right time for understanding, it's the time for action and forgiving myself if trying doesn't work out like I want it to.

To be fair, I do have my mom and sister for limited sympathy, on the phone. I have a fiance myself, who cheers me up when we chat over the internet. I've talked a little to anyone who would listen, even knowing I'm a huge vat of neediness and people don't like that.
I try to balance what I feel I need with not being too much trouble to other people, who have troubles themselves. I'm trying to change the way I think, and the widen the things I dare to do.

And still, everything is hard.

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Arrow 7 replies Author Time Post
Reply Damn this is confusing (Original post)
clyrc Nov 2012 OP
LiberalEsto Nov 2012 #1
clyrc Nov 2012 #2
LiberalEsto Nov 2012 #4
clyrc Nov 2012 #6
elleng Nov 2012 #3
LiberalEsto Nov 2012 #5
clyrc Nov 2012 #7

Response to clyrc (Original post)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 12:20 PM

1. Sending you hugs and blessings

and suggesting you go to DUer OneGrassRoot's Wishadoo web site. I think you will find some practical help there.

Link: http://www.wishadoo.org/

Can you apply for government assistance with the utility bills?

Also remember that there are many kind, compassionate DU members who help one another out - regardless of how they rip each others' throats out in General Discussion. We are here for one another. We will listen and try to help if we can.

I've been in bad shape myself in recent months - unemployment, etc., and often feel like I have no friends. I think people everywhere are struggling to stay above water, and have run out of energy to reach out to one another. I have found amazing reassurance here at DU.

Please keep in touch and let me know how things are going.

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Response to LiberalEsto (Reply #1)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 12:26 PM

2. I'm sorry you're in bad shape, too, LiberalEsto

I know that is common right now. I have a few DU FaceBook friends who have been facing worse things than me for longer. And I joined the Wishadoo site last week, I just haven't looked around there much.

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Response to clyrc (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 12:51 PM

4. Thanks!

It looks like you are taking the right steps despite your situation. You can and will overcome this, and you can find support here.

It does seem like a lot of people are struggling harder lately. I wonder if the dark cloudy weather is getting to them at this time of year. It gets to me.

The shorter days probably affect a lot more people than anyone suspects. Lack of sunlight makes people feel depressed and hopeless. I use a sun box light for 20 minutes a day Sept. to March, and it makes a difference. Can you get out in the sun more when you have time?

Basically I've been out of work for 4 years (husband has a job) and never getting replies to applications, let alone interviews.

Keep me posted on how you're managing.

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Response to LiberalEsto (Reply #4)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 02:46 PM

6. I will do that

thanks.

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Response to clyrc (Original post)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 12:29 PM

3. Very sorry.

Child support obligations should NOT end with geographical changes. Look into it.

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Response to elleng (Reply #3)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 01:01 PM

5. Good advice

and Elleng is one of the nicest people in DU.

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Response to elleng (Reply #3)

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 02:49 PM

7. I'm living in the house rent free, and borrowing his mother's car

He doesn't have a job right now, so taking him to court would be pointless. And of course he can't get one if he is spending two months in Kenya.

There are, of course, people I could beg money from. Right now selling jewelry appeals to me more.

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