Back

Navigating Divorce: The Surprising 5 Stages of Grief with Oona Metz

Divorce is more than the end of a marriage -- it’s the unraveling of a life you thought you’d have (until "death do you part"). And the emotional weight lasts long after the paperwork is signed.

I know I wasn't prepared for that. I thought that I was healed and everything was done as soon as I was in my first apartment, my first home, after my divorce. I wasn't prepared for sleepless nights filled with...feelings...and the loneliness and shame that came with feeling anything other than relief that I was out of my marriage.

Enter psychotherapist, Oona Metz, LICSW, CGP, and her revolutionary stages of divorce grief.

You might be familiar with the five stages of grief (if not, here's a primer), but what about that special flavor of grief that comes with divorce?

Become a Community Member

Unlock this full article and gain access to our private community, resources, and support.

Join Now Member Login

What chapter are you in?

Take the Life After Divorce Quiz

12 questions. 3 minutes. You’ll know yourself better once you see the results.

Start the quiz
Quiz for Divorced Women

Share this article

a drawing of a woman sitting on the floor

DD Club — Reflection Kit: Trust the Unfolding

This post is only available to members.
...
Read more
woman writing in notebook with pen

10 journaling prompts for the in-between

If you’ve been around here for a while, you already know how much we love journaling. We’ve written about why it matters and how to ...

Read more

Subscribe to the Dispatched Divorcée Digest

A regular newsletter filled with ways to build confidence, resilience, and strength, featuring:

  • Curated resources
  • Opportunities to connect with divorcées
  • New products and features
  • Invitations to events, meet-ups, and retreats!
  • A front-row seat to what we’re building here

And, no, you don’t have to be divorced to subscribe. 😘 

Your e-mail address is only used to send you our newsletter and information about the activities of Dispatched Divorcée. You can always use the unsubscribe link included in the newsletter.