Moving back in with family

A number of people move back in with their parents following a divorce. This provides them with a secure place to stay, with emotional support, time to recover, reduced expenses.

• Do consider contributing in some way to the household e.g. money, helping out

• Make sure everyone is clear and agreeable on how you are going to help out

• Make sure you have some private space and agreement on it being private

• Understand that your parents may still see you and treat you as if you were the kid that never left the house

• Respect their home

• Set up a goal linked to moving out of the house e.g promotion

• Better yet set up a time line to moving out and living independently again

Moving back in with family can be difficult. It can lower your morale and self esteem. You may be still in the middle of emotions from the divorce which may not make you a very easy person to be around. Living so close to your family can lead to arguments and friction. Try to minimize this.

In a way, if you find it too comfortable living at home then there is less incentive to moving out and living independently again. Try to remain motivated Perhaps you never had to cook, clean, do laundry or go grocery shopping so now is the time to learn these skills. This can help you reach your goal of living independently.

Moving in with roommates

Having lived as part of a couple and now finding yourself having to move in with roommates can be difficult. You may not like the limits on independence and privacy this bring with it. On the other hand you may have dreams of partying all night and going wild.

• Make sure you have some private space

• Know that you will not get along with everyone all the time so have some tolerance

• Try to respect the other people you live with and their needs

• Set a goal and time line on moving out and living independently

• Make sure you have a written agreement on rent and responsibilities

Clutter

If you have downsized, you may well have more possessions than you can store.

• hold a garage sale

• use Ebay or other online auction sites

• donate to charity

• use long term storage

• consider distributing items to relatives

If you have downsized after your divorce, you may have moved some of your possessions to a long term storage location. Make sure these possessions are insured too.