Making the decision to divorce is often immensely stressful; putting that decision into action can be even more so. Many people going through a divorce feel emotionally overwhelmed at some point or another. Divorce can be a long, exhausting process. (My divorce took over two years!) To face all of the changes that go along with it, you will need strength, energy and the benefits that come from taking care of yourself.

If you are experiencing sadness or anger, it is especially important to allow yourself time to process your thoughts and feelings so that you can move past them. You've just ended one journey, and you need to unpack your emotional baggage before you're ready to go on the next one. Allow yourself time to be sad. It may be helpful to write your thoughts out on paper, or just talk to a close friend. You may also benefit from seeing a counselor or therapist who may be more objective than someone close to the situation.

Maintaining your physical health is a pivotal part of maintaining your emotional health. Even when it feels like the sky is falling, you still need nourishment, rest and oxygen. Keep breathing. Exercise can also be a wonderful way to release anger and improve your mood. Now might be the perfect time to take up kickboxing!

Don't be tempted to slip into seclusion and begin ignoring your friends or family. Your friends can be the key to helping you rebuild! Good friends will be there to laugh with you, cry with you and remind you of who you really are outside of your circumstances.

Building a new skill is also a wonderful way to do something positive for yourself and your new life. Perhaps you would like to learn to paint, go back to college or run a marathon. Find a positive goal and make steps toward it.

Your divorce means new freedom! You are the pilot of your life now; there's no copilot on the next stage of your journey, so you get to chart your own course. Even if the divorce was not of your choosing, your life now will be as wonderful as you make it. Get yourself excited about your new life! Looking positively at the potentials in front of you will make all the difference in the outcome of the divorce. Perhaps you may find that you have more peace in the house, more time to focus on a long-neglected hobby, or you finally have an excuse to redecorate. There is always something positive to find in this circumstance.