Divorce or separation are big events in anyone's life, and it's natural that they will come with a rollercoaster of emotions from grief and loss, through to joy and relief. Whatever feelings you're experiencing, they are valid.

The key to navigating a divorce with confidence is to take back the control - this isn't a situation where you need to feel powerless, it can be an opportunity to rebuild and rediscover yourself.

Make a clean break

First things first, work through the separation of assets and belongings as quickly as you can. This is an important part of feeling in control and reclaiming the power. Make sorting through your shared home a priority, and decide exactly what you want to happen if you own a home together.

It might be that one person wants to stay on in the house, in which case, make a firm plan for how to manage this financially. If you want to sell up, a cash buying service can help to push the sale through quickly. This way you can sell a house fast in Liverpool, Bristol, London — wherever you are in the UK — and have money in the bank in as little as seven days.

Regain your financial independence

Once you've sorted your property situation, it's time to make a plan for your future finances. Going from two incomes to one is likely to feel daunting, but taking action can help you regain control. Take time to look in detail at your income and expenditure and identify ways to cut costs if you need to.

If you need to make more money, explore ways you can do this that excite you - do you have a hobby or passion that you could turn into a small business? Would an extra part-time job working with people give you the opportunity to make new friends and explore new career options?

Don't neglect your long-term finances here. You could get some expert financial advice on things like pensions and longer-term investments, to help you feel more secure about your future. Even small amounts of savings can go a long way.

Reconnect with what brings you joy

This is the fun part! Once they become single, a lot of women discover that they have forgotten the things that made them happy — perhaps they were suppressing a part of themselves or had lost their spark from being in a difficult relationship. Now that you're on your own, take the time to think about the stuff that really brings you joy.

This could be something as simple as painting a room in your home a vibrant colour, listening to more music, or spending more time outside. Perhaps you've always wanted to visit a particular country and can plan a solo trip. Let your imagination run wild — even if you don't end up doing things, thinking about them is exciting and liberating.

While divorce can of course be difficult, it can also represent a new and empowering chapter in your life — be bold and who knows what the next part of your story will be.

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