Girlfriend's Guide to Happy Life After Divorce in the Windy City
Divorce can be hard, but a breakup doesn't have to break you. Here is our guide to a fresh start in Chicago. Get back out there! You deserve the best!
Rainbow Magic of Divorce
We’ve been having an amazing time rolling out new packages and events for Brides as we prep for the summer wedding season and it got us to thinking about the other side of that coin - divorce.
Really flipped that on you there! Often when you bring up divorce the air goes out of a room, people take on a somber vibe and sympathy swamps those afflicted by the dreaded legal status. But is it really that bad? Conscious separation does not necessarily follow an unsuccessful marriage. You can have a successful marriage that no longer works because of you or your partner’s future goals, long term relocation, sexual interests or work schedule.
While there are so many reasons why people need to separate, today they don’t need to be shameful! Divorce can be an incredibly powerful thing! You can pursue more personal goals, engage in more self care, or have a healthier and happier household for your children. This is a time to focus on yourself - go take a class, start a new hobby, get fit and get to know YOU.
No matter where you fall in the spectrum of blame or shame or anger or apathy - we’re here to help you get back out there and take back your single life!!
You Are Not Alone
One of the best things you can do to get out of a divorce funk and envision a bright future for yourself is to see and hear other successful breakups and divorce stories. You’re not alone!
Do your mirror neurons (which see to believe what’s possible for ourselves) a service by listening to these Top 20 Divorce podcasts specifically designed for you!
Better yet, get some face time with people who really understand what you're going through. Here's a list of the top divorced people meetups in the greater Chicago area.
Nothing heals more than comrades in pain and knowing you're not alone. For women looking for other female resources, check out this list of amazing Facebook groups for divorced women.
Utilize those Robots!
We’re living in the time of instant connection! A great way to ease back into the dating pool is to get into the low-commitment-chat-from-your-pajamas virtual world of dating through online dating and apps. Each dating app will ask you to fill out a bio and answer some questions specific to that platform. While you fill out their information, keep in mind that what they’re asking you is what they’re asking every potential date. Do you find their questions insightful, meaningful to what you’re looking for in a partner?
Great Dating Apps:
Plenty of Fish (https://www.pof.com/)
Bumble (https://bumble.com/)
Coffee meets Bagel (https://coffeemeetsbagel.com/)
OkCupid (https://www.okcupid.com/mobile)
Elite Singles (https://www.elitesingles.com/)
Divorced: Free and Single (https://divorcedfreeandsingle.com/ ).
Tried and True
These apps have thousands of users which is great if you’re trying to see what’s out there and get a sense of what you’re looking for in your next partner. But perhaps you’re leaving this relationship knowing so much more about what you need in someone. So let’s talk about ways to engage with smaller communities that share your values.
Social Clubs are a great way to get to know people with you interests and in your location. Here’s a list of some great places to meet people organically in Chicago:
If you love sports:
If you love social engagements:
If you’re looking for a club with it all (Fitness, Art, Social, Community):
Try Something New
Perhaps the best way to bust out onto the Chicago scene with all your sexy new single-ness is to take part in an experience. Immersive is the name of the game. What’s a better way to take the plunge in meeting new people (potential friends and lovers!) than to go to Chicago event specifically designed to break the ice - so you don’t have to.
Check out ART ROOM EVENTS calendar of fun pop up experiences.
Join other crime-solvers in a roaring 20’s cocktail party where you and fellow Chicagoans will battle it out to see who will be the True Detective of the night! Everyone will be given their own character to play so you can’t avoid the fun or the introductions during this interactive cocktail party.roaring 20’s cocktail party
Want to learn something new and meet some fellow creatives? Check out this writers conference later this month where you can embark on a new chapter of your life or any other fun experiences and events Eventbrite or Dabble.co offer.
Join a few strangers in a high-paced escape experience! Or better yet, meet up with some people you meet through a dating app or through a Facebook group to see how you can work together under pressure!
It’s all about you Baby!
Now that you’re free from whatever was weighing you down in that relationship, look around. It’s a whole new world! Your life is about YOU. What a refreshing feeling - the bright minty deliciousness that is single-dom. Soak. It. Up!
So let’s turn inward. We’ve got some questions for you to help you reconnect with your authentic you-ness that you might have shoved in a closet somewhere.
You have a full weekend with nothing to do. The laundry is finished, dishes clean… what do you do? You’ve got 48 hours of blissful nothingness. What do you fill it with?
It’s been a long day. Work was rough, but hey, you’ve got all night to recoup. So how do you tend to your needs now that you don’t have someone else you’re looking after or coming home to? What are you going to do on this glorious night of self care?
You’re looking around thinking “Hmm… I am on top of my work. I’m on top of my social life. Taxes are done… I don’t have anything challenging me.” So what do you do? What do you want to learn now that you have all this time on your hands?
Great, glad we got some clarity there. Welcome to 2020 Darling! This is the year of YOU. How are you going to spend it? It’s a huge, massive question, We know. But we’ve got your back with some suggestions!
Divorce Party - Let’s Celebrate YOU!
A new trend for Divorcees is to have a Divorce Party! Honestly, what could be more fun after a potentially long and tedious litigation process?
You want bubbly! You want relaxation! You want to dance the night away! You want to craft! You want to get sexy! You want to have fun and celebrate all the time you have now for YOU. Check out this custom party page is designed just for you!
We make it easy. Just click through to decide what you’d like to add to your party. Hell, make it a whole day event/detox! Send us your desires and we create a simple plan to celebrate this new stage of your life.
Classes in Chicago
Macrame, French Cooking, Glass Blowing, Terrarium 101, Goat Yoga, Jewelry Making, Calligraphy, Makeup, Power Lifting…
The list goes on and on and on Dabble is a great site to try out the difficult, strange and exciting. Learn about new subjects, but more importantly - learn about yourself.
Many of us neglect our needs when in a relationship and our bodies can take the biggest hit. Don’t sign up to a gym membership just yet! Every body is different with different needs. A great way to get to know what you’re looking for in a workout is Class Pass. This service has multiple membership tiers for all budgets and classes all over the city.
Let your inner artist out! It's time to develop the skills and talents you've neglected during your marriage. The Palette and Chisel is a Chicago classic for all things art and education for adults. Art Room Events signature Drawing Art Party With Drinks, Laughs & Sexy Nude Model adds some wildness and creativity to your special celebration. You and your guests will receive an unforgettable experience during this one of-a-kind two-hour private art party while sketching one of the sexiest nude male (or female) models!
This is the best time in history to be divorced. So get out there! Start small and keep moving toward your bliss. We hope this guide helped give you some ideas. Here are a few more Chicago spots you can take yourself out to. Have fun you sexy beast you! It’s easier than ever to be happy and single! There is so much world out there to explore and we're absolutely thrilled for you and happy to celebrate with you!
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