If you use social media a lot, then it may feel natural to turn to it in difficult times, such as a divorce. You can let your friends and followers know the latest news and share how you are feeling about certain things. In return, you may get some messages of support or even just the feeling that someone, somewhere understands what you are going through.
However, it is generally recommended that the safest option is to give social media a break when divorcing. Here are two reasons why:
1. It can make it harder to move forward
You go on social media to see what your friends have been up to and up pops a post from your spouse. Or a post from someone else containing a photo of your spouse. Maybe the photos are of them having fun with what appears to be a new flame. How would that make you feel? Or maybe they appear to be sad and downbeat. Again, consider how that might make you feel.
Photos of your soon-to-be ex could evoke a range of emotions that distract you from the task at hand, which is getting the divorce done. Seeing things that anger you, make you jealous or make you feel guilty is not going to help here.
2. You might say something you regret
Maybe the poster has captioned the photo of your ex with, “Finally, free to live the life they deserve” or similar. You take that as a personal insult and post a harsh reply. The person screenshots it and passes it to your spouse – who then passes it to their divorce attorney who uses it to portray you as a bitter, angry person to the court. That is not going to help you get the divorce outcomes you want.
It might not be easy to give social media a break, but it is definitely something to consider if you are divorcing.