As writers, we often find ourselves sitting in the movie theater breaking down the plot. We whisper to each other about the implausible moments, poor character development, sloppy and incongruent plot, or the surprise ending we didn’t see coming. Occasionally the end leaves us smiling, in awe of the way the plot played out and all the loose ends came together in a tidy bow.  But then there are the times it leaves us with our mouth hanging open and muttering …“What the hell just happened?”

The truth is we all live in a novel or movie of our own making. We all have a story and our lives are filled with endless inciting events, complications, and twists and turns. We rarely know how our story will end, but love, commitment, and values typically keep our story going. Until it doesn’t.

It’s been a long time since I have ventured out of my safe place, the Cow Pasture.  I’ve spent the last year asking, “What the hell just happened?” I am now a statistic. One of the many women thrust into the unknown world of a Grey Divorce.  The increasing demographic trend of women who have been married a long time, typically 25 -30 years, over the age of 50 who separate and divorce. According to Psychology Today, the rate of those over 50 who are divorcing has doubled in less than 30 years and the implications for women are staggering.

The divorce rate for adults ages 50 and older in remarriages is double the rate of those who have only been married once, Pew says. Among all adults 50 and older who divorced in 2015, 48% had been in their second or higher marriage. (Market Watch/Pew Institute)

This past year has been a difficult, challenging, and enlightening year for me. I am not one to lie down and curl up in a ball, even at the young age of 66.  I have always been the type to dust herself off, pull her big-girl pants up and get on with living.

As difficult as this journey has been, I intend to rediscover who I am, forge my own future, explore new adventures, and in the process share what I have learned about navigating this new life, and the phenomena of Grey Divorce.  I hope to offer tips, what to look out for, how to prepare, and what to do if it happens to you.

Based on the statistics, there are many like me out there and  I’d like to hear your story. If you would like to share your Grey Divorce story with me, contact me at sheilagood52@gmail.com with Grey Divorce in the subject line.

This is not about bashing our exes but about not only surviving but thriving through the trauma of a Grey Divorce. 

I’m making a new life for myself and 2020 is going to be a good year.  I hope you’ll come along for the ride.

 

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Tell me your story. I’m all ears and look for me on Facebook Page  at SheilaMcIntyreGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilamgood, Contently, and Instagram. You can follow my reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.