Whether you and your ex-spouse always disagreed on important topics or you both just became more argumentative during the divorce, dealing with a high-conflict personality can be tough.
Learning how to properly react and how to avoid fights during this process can help you stay calm and collected.
Choose your words wisely
According to Psychology Today, talking too much about personal or unnecessary topics after deciding to divorce can increase the chance for a fight to happen. Not only can you both remember old incidents and bring them up again, but you can also feel more likely to lash out since tensions are still high.
One way to avoid arguments in person is to write texts or emails for important topics. Taking the time to type out what you want to say allows you to be more level-headed and edit your tone before sending.
Look to the future
No matter what happened in the past, you should focus more on the future and make plans for yourself and your children for years to come. Spending too much time analyzing your ex-spouse’s words or feeling anger can drain your energy.
Schedule some activity or hobby that you can look forward to in the future. This opportunity can also help you get more exercise, which can help reduce your stress levels.
Reach out
When you struggle or feel overwhelmed, reaching out to family or close friends can help you feel better and find the strength to deal with your ex-spouse. You may even want to talk to a therapist or other mental health professional.
Dealing with an angry ex-spouse can be exhausting, but you can learn ways to reduce your frustration.