Im starting this thread to ask for advice and also to create a place where people in similar positions can talk and support each other.
My wife and I decided to separate on NYE. It’s been a fairly amicable split so far, and nobody is to blame. There was no infidelity or grievous behavior. The strain of COVID, new parenthood and the realization that we are two very different people who want to live life in a different way, led to our separation.
I have also had some mental health struggles for the last year, which didn’t help. The stress of a failing marriage, the bleakness of the COVID works, and a job I grew to hate was really getting to me. Im doing better now, have been taking medication and seeing a counselor for about six months.
We do have a young son and he is our priority, I moved into an apartment five mins away and see him 4-5 times week. We originally left the door open for reconciliation, but in the last week or two my wife has made it clear she’s ready to move on, and honestly I don’t really want to go back to our previous marriage dynamic either.
So as the finality of our separation begins to settle in, I am experiencing emotions of loneliness and sadness. I know long term that this is the right decision, but it’s pretty tough right now especially since almost all my friends around here are married.
So my first question to people who have experienced this is what should I be doing to improve my mental and physical health? How do I meet people in a similar position and how did you move on and start a new chapter of your life?
*Also I know many of you in real life, and several of you know my wife from HS. I want to stress that she’s not a bad person and I will always respect and care for her. I doubt any of you are going to talk to her anytime soon, but if you do for some reason I’d prefer you don’t mention this thread. Thanks*