A person’s self-esteem can take a massive hit after a divorce, and seniors may feel even more powerless or helpless after officially ending their marriage. Older adults are already at risk of developing depression and anxiety after a gray divorce. Moreover, as you get older, it’s common to lose self-confidence as your body and face age due to life-changing events such as health issues, retirement, or a split with a long-term partner. A study has shown that a person’s self-confidence tends to decline after the age of 60, and it can plummet even more after ending a relationship with a loved one. Boosting your self-esteem after a late-life divorce is essential so you can continue to live your best life. What’s more, it’s important in ensuring that you can trust yourself to make decisions that are best for you. Here’s how to regain your confidence after a gray divorce.
How to Boost Your Self-Esteem After a Late-Life Divorce
Take Pride in Your Appearance
There’s a saying that goes that when you look good, you feel good, so make an effort to look your best every day. Get a haircut or a facial to treat yourself. Even a smile makeover to deal with stained teeth can do wonders for your self-confidence. Dress up instead of wearing pajamas or sweatpants all day and wear a little makeup if that makes you feel good, perhaps some jewelry too to add some sparkle to your look. Even if you’ll just be on Zoom calls the whole day with your loved ones, make it a point to be well-groomed and neatly dressed before turning on your camera.
Learn Something New
It’s a common misconception that older people can’t learn new skills. Learning something new after your divorce can help you reinvent yourself as you navigate this new stage in your life. It can also enable you to make new friends, especially if you choose activities that will help you become more social. Learning how to play a musical instrument, mastering a new language, or learning how to garden can give you a feeling of accomplishment and boost your confidence after a gray divorce.
Celebrate the Great Things About Yourself
If you’re going through a late-life divorce, it can be difficult to think of yourself as worthy of love and care, or even admiration. Most seniors struggle with celebrating the great things about themselves, so take this time to sit down and think about all the things that make you such a wonderful person. Perhaps you’re a good listener or you’ve always been an accomplished cook. Maybe you’ve always been praised for being a great nurturer or provider. Or perhaps people just love being with you and talking to you. Start acknowledging how amazing you are the next time self-doubt kicks in, and eventually, you’ll discover more reasons to love yourself.
Getting your confidence back after a late-life divorce may be a challenge. But by making an effort to look good, celebrating the wonderful things about you, and taking time to learn something new, you’ll come to realize that you are worthy of love and respect, and you’ll come out of this better and stronger than ever before.
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