I collaborated on an expert panel and shared insights on how to prepare for divorce and keep it peaceful. Here are my best tips:

3 steps for how to prepare for divorce emotionally and keep it peaceful:

1. Set an Intention.

Setting an intention requires you to think about how you want the process of your divorce to go and what you want the outcome to look like. This intention can serve as your guide along the way.

It will keep you focused as you navigate the decisions you’ll make and the way you interact with your partner and/or your children.

2. Learn to Manage Your Feelings.

Divorce can be an emotional roller coaster, lots of feelings come up – and at times they may overwhelm you.
Find someone to emotionally support you – a friend, a therapist – so you can stay connected to the person you want to be even in the face of intense divorce emotions and tough decisions.

3. Invest in the Process.

One day the conflict will be over, and you will think of your marriage as something in the past. Do your best to be thoughtful and patient.

Every step of the way take into consideration your own well-being and the well-being of your children as well as the impact on your partner. Meanwhile, focus on your life today and make time for some fun and meaningful connections with loved ones in your life.

You can find more useful tips on how to prepare for divorce in this post we contributed to on Equitable Mediation’s website.