Although it doesn’t involve anyone actually in the dispute, telling others can be very difficult. A divorce can be very hard for people outside the relationship to understand, especially family members. Telling others is often a cause of anxiety, but it doesn’t have to be.
There isn’t a simple answer or formula that can save you from the difficulty of telling others, but by planning how best to accomplish your goal you can make the task less difficult.
Your close family members should be one of the first groups of people you inform about the divorce. Telling those who you feel most comfortable with and are most likely to be supportive is a good place to start. Knowing you have someone who supports you can be helpful whether it is a family member or other close friend. Don’t be afraid to let your loved ones know that you need their support during this difficult time. During this discussion, you are sure to get a lot of questions. Decide ahead of time what you are comfortable answering and only answer those questions. Try to be as honest as possible, but only you can decide what is best.
Building the courage to tell others is never easy, but not letting your loved ones know how you feel and what you are going through could push them away. Ultimately, open communication will relieve some anxiety and build a group of people who you know are supporting you, an important resource during this difficult process.