Give me strength

[Jo61]

What can I do on a practical level to get through all the emational crap that surrounds the breakdown of my 22 year marriage?

Pamper your self. Have massages, do Spa days, have a mini break somewhere, get your hair done, buy some new clothes, start exercising, seek counselling, speak to friends and family.

Cut yourself a large amount of slack. They stress will get to you and you will be exhausted more easily.

• talk to friends
• socialise
• be kind to yourself: treats like new shoes, bubble bath, ...
• cry when you need to. It's OK to grieve.
• see your GP about anti-depressants or counselling if you need to.
• ditto getting signed off work if you need it. Some prefer to throw themselves into their work - YMMV
• if it is practical (ie. if one of you has already left the house), then cut off contact with your stbxh in order to not torture yourself with "what ifs"

HTH

Here's your earlier thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/1318561-Married-22-years-and-husband-has-left-is-there-another-woman

Take a look at other posts/threads on here from women who know only too wellwhat you're going through because they've been there themselves, or they are currently in the same place as you are.

On a basic practical level, clean/clear the house of any lingering traces of the twunt, buy new bedlinen, re-arrange furniture, and begin the slow process of rediscovering yourself and validating your feelings.

Does anyone know of any good books that might help?

Agree give yourself a lot of slack. try and plan - i particularly find sundays dificult, as everyone is with their own families and i dont want to intrude (dont know your circumstances, so you may have company on a sunday!)

new bedlinen is a definite!