Moving forward slowly, one quiet step at a time.
Going through a divorce is one of those life events you don’t really know how to prepare for. Everyone around you tries to help—offering comfort, advice, maybe even some tough love: “You’ll find someone better.” “It’s for the best.” “This is your chance to start over.” I knew they meant well, but sometimes those words landed like static. What I really needed was space—to sit with my sadness, to let the grief wash over me instead of pushing it away.
“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” — Akshay Dubey
For a while, I let myself do just that. I stayed in bed longer than I probably should have. I didn’t do much. The things I used to enjoy felt far away. I avoided situations that might stir up conflict or require too much of me emotionally. I floated a bit.
After the Storm: Healing, One Tiny Step at a Time
I’m not saying that was the healthiest approach—but I do think sometimes we need to be still before we can move. Healing doesn’t arrive with a dramatic moment or grand gesture. For me, it started quietly. One morning, I put my feet on the floor and stepped out of bed—even though I climbed right back in moments later. But that one step mattered.
And then another day came, and I stepped out again. This time, I made my bed.
I began to tell myself: just one action. That’s it. One small thing that nudges you forward, even if you don’t feel ready. Take the trash out. Wash a dish. Step outside and feel the sun. I didn’t always do these things joyfully—but they added up. They helped me reclaim little pieces of myself.
I still have quiet moments where it feels hard. I still feel waves of loneliness or doubt. But I’ve learned that healing doesn’t mean you never struggle. It means you keep choosing to take one more step toward the life you’re creating now. And that counts for everything.
So if you’re there—in that quiet, aching space—just know it’s okay. Take your time. But when you can… just one action. That’s how it begins.
– Kate
Real life, real experiences. Share your wisdom, your wins, or even the mess — because life after 50 is worth talking about.
