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This article highlights the positive things about divorce. Divorce can give women an opportunity to be more confident and focus more on other relationships. Divorce can also get a child out of a situation where they're stuck with their parents fighting. Divorce can also free the spouse so they won't have to keep a broken relationship together. This is important to keep stress levels low and prevent it from coming out on kids or other people around them.

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According to the American Psychological Association, around 40% of marriages in the United States end in divorce. While that statistic accounts for nearly half of all marriages in this country, what's not telling of this percentage is the number of former spouses who are happier for it. If you've had a divorce or are going through one right now, it's normal to experience grief, feel ashamed, or flood yourself with what seems like a never-ending barrage of questions, especially with cultural norms to worry about and religious expectations to uphold.

But divorce doesn't always have immediately elicit the negative. In fact, many people post-divorce find that life outside of their marriages has been filled with the exact opposite. Many divorce papers aren't filed because the marriage was unhappy, toxic, or because infidelity or abuse was involved. There are even those out there who can look back on their marriage and recognize it as a good thing that came to a mutual end. Whether your marriage ended voluntarily or whether it was something you never wanted out of, here are a few reasons why divorce isn't the end of the world or your joy, from a few people who came out better on the other side and have never felt happier.

Self-discovery and a new lease on life

One common benefit that people post-divorce comment on is having more time to themselves. While that might seem obvious, we sometimes unknowingly put our needs and goals on the back-burner when we're consumed in our relationships. When Rebecca, a small business owner from Dallas, married her longtime best friend, they later realized that they were both good people who were just better off as friends.

"He was such a big part of my life and still is, because he was my best friend before he was my husband so we spent years hanging out and just being around each other all the time. When we got divorced I had to learn how to re-build my own identity. I found that in solitude I was more comfortable exploring and pursuing my passions because I didn't feel like I was letting him down or being selfish, and because of that I've been able to build a fulfilling career and life, and still keep my best friend by my side."

Forgetting the eggshells and being comfortable in your own skin again

Sometimes in marriages, you find yourself morphing into the person your spouse wants you to be. And while partners can definitely inspire positive changes in your life, sometimes it's over the things that aren't broken.

"I realized I was trying to change so much about myself to fit into his ideal of 'perfect', and I was starting to blame myself for the things I couldn't change. I didn't feel comfortable having a fresh face around him, because of my acne and hyperpigmentation that he always asked why I wasn't able to get rid of, as if I wasn't trying every product or diet suggestion out there. I couldn't be real and talk about things like chin hair, blackheads, or passing gas because I wasn't supposed to have or be doing any of those things. It was stressful trying to be this "perfect" person, and never feeling good enough. It feels amazing being able to be myself and feel beautiful again, every part of me - good or 'bad'." - Marianna, Lifestyle & Beauty Blogger

Getting to nourish other important relationships in your life

It's not unusual to neglect certain relationships when you're married, especially when your partner becomes your everyday and all-in-one person. For Carolina, a Worship and Children's Ministry Leader from San Diego, it took the end of her marriage to bring her closer to her family and her faith. When her husband left her for another woman, she was devastated and alone for the first time in over a decade.

"Not only was I lost, I was completely blindsided. I had an estranged relationship with my siblings due to a loss in our family years earlier but I had no one else to turn to and I desperately needed their support, so I swallowed my pride and reached out to them. My divorce ended up being the reason we were able to reconcile and are closer than we've ever been. I started going to church again and began relying on God to fill the voids in my life. I soon learned that He was the one person who wouldn't leave me, no matter what. Sometimes we can't understand why things happen the way they do at the time, but there is a blessing to be found in the heartbreak. I gained true faith and my family back."

Finding confidence and learning to lean on yourself

If you're suffering from a marriage that ended due to infidelity or abuse, it's easy to think that that's a blow you might not ever be able to recover from. But women all over are turning these lemons into lemonade. Jessica, a Self-Help Coach and Writer from New York, spent months feeling unworthy after finding out that her husband of over 14 years, and dad of their 4 kids, had been unfaithful for almost half of their relationship.

"I felt like a joke. I struggled to even find the energy to get up in the morning most days, even with four bright-eyed babies staring up at me. Then one day, a light in me had switched. I realized I was capable and that there was nowhere to go but up, and I was going to show my children that if I could conquer anything, they could. It was at rock bottom that I found my inner strength and learned to love myself again. I had this toxic mentality that the way people treated me showed me how I should value myself, which was a complete lie. Now I help women all over the country realize their worth and eliminate negative self-talk. I love every second of what I do and I now proudly brag that I'm in a committed relationship with my career!"

Becoming a better parent by being a happy parent

Two people parent better when they are both in better places themselves. Constant bickering and unhealthy conflict handling create a hostile environment for children and one they're likely to follow in. For Teresa and Taylor, Software Developers from Las Vegas, they made the decision to end their marriage for the sake of their children because of their toxic relationship and inability to get along. They now have joint custody of their children and feel much more successful as co-parents.

"Our children now have the benefit of growing up in two happy households", they say. "It's really made all the difference and we have a much better relationship with each other now that we're not at each other's throats all the time."

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Surprisingly Good Things That Can Come from Divorce * Beyond Words

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According to the American Psychological Association, around 40% of marriages in the United States end in divorce. While that statistic accounts for nearly half of all marriages in this country, what's not telling of this percentage is the number of former spouses who are happier for it.

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This article contains 11 reasons why divorcing is better than being trapped in an unhappy marriage. Underneath each reason has a quote from someone about that topic. It includes reasons such as being happier makes a better parent, being able to spend more time on yourself, etc. Another reason being that divorce isn't the worst thing that could happen to a child, an unsafe home is. It reassures others that divorce isn't something to be afraid of and that anyone can emerge from it.

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When you're considering divorce ― or reeling from your ex's decision to end the marriage ― it's easy to focus on the negatives: How will I possibly get by living on my own again? How will the kids be impacted by this? Am I doomed to be alone for the rest of my life?

While those concerns are understandable, it's equally important to focus on the good that can come of being single. Below, HuffPost Divorce bloggers share 11 reasons divorce is preferable to staying in an unhappy, unhealthy marriage.

1. Marriage may give you a sense of security but divorce gives you a new lease on life.

2. Being a single parent is better than modeling an unhealthy relationship.

"If you're a parent with young kids, getting a divorce is better than staying in a bad marriage because these are formative years for them. They will likely seek out and emulate the types of relationships they see modeled. I want my relationships to be happy, healthy and mutually respectful, so that my children never settle for anything else in their own lives." ― Lindsey Light

3. Divorce clears the way for you to meet the right partner.

4. You get to focus on you for once.

"After divorce, you find yourself again and fall in love with the wonderful attributes that make you you. As a mother especially, you can parent with just your own mama instincts and all your love and energy can flow into your little one(s). You find genuine peace and happiness and an appreciation for life that may have been sucked out of you during your bad marriage." ― Shelley Cameron

5. Divorce isn't the worst thing that can happen to your kids. Enduring a hostile home life is.

6. There's a big difference between loneliness and solitude.

7. You and your partner may be stifling each other's growth.

8. A happier parent is a better parent.

9. You can devote your energy to other important areas of your life.

10. You deserve a partner who's just as invested in the relationship as you are.

11. You lose a spouse but you gain happiness.

SEE GALLERY

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divorce relationship advice marriage advice should i get a divorce

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11 Reasons Divorce Is Better Than Staying In A Bad Marriage

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When you're considering divorce ― or reeling from your ex's decision to end the marriage ― it's easy to focus on the negatives: How will I possibly get by living on my own again? How will the kids be impacted by this? Am I doomed to be alone for the rest of my life?

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This picture shows a dysfunctional family.

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This represents a broken family.

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This represents the custody battle with the divorce.

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A quote about divorce that I stand by.

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Represents a splitting couple.

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Background information about why divorce is important from "Adam Ruins Everything"

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Adam Ruins Everything - Why Divorce is Actually a Good Thing

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Divorce is the legal termination of a marriage contract between two people. Legal separation doesn't terminate a marriage but allows them to live separately and divide custody over children and shared assets. Divorce costs $15,000 on average and lasts around eleven months. If the parents can't decide on child custody, the court makes the decision. Spousal support is a payment made to the person who's financially dependant on the other partner. Of 400,00 people receiving it, #3% are men. The court decides who pays child support.

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Financial difficulties can be a source of stress among divorced people or couples in the process of getting a divorce. A 2014 survey conducted by the Nolo Network, an online legal guide, found that the average divorce costs over $15,000, most of which goes to attorney fees, and lasts nearly eleven months.

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This article describes both sides of the argument of divorce with use of a test that was taken by the author. It describes how there are different types of marriages and how certain women emerge from them. It also addresses the kids and how a divorce can be a learning experience. Even though children with divorced parents act up, from the test, a majority of kids emerge just fine. It also explains how the women of the divorce are happy and other's in a stable relationship.

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Dysfunctional Marriages Contribute to America's Decline

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Is American Culture in Decline?, edited by Auriana Ojeda, Greenhaven Press, 2005. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http%3A%2F%2Flink.galegroup.com%2Fapps%2Fdoc%2FEJ3010389208%2FOVIC%3Fu%3Dpl2683%26sid%3DOVIC%26xid%3D35ee4154. Accessed 6 Mar. 2019. Originally published as "Marriage and Divorce American Style," American Prospect, 8 Apr. 2002.

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This article describes the various impacts that divorce has on children. Those who have showed no signs of being violent, start to engage in violent behaviors at school. It scares the child into believing that no one will be there to take care of them. Divorce may also worry them into thinking their future relationships will fail. This article also addresses how the child may develop trust issues.

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Family, edited by Karen Miller, Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http%3A%2F%2Flink.galegroup.com%2Fapps%2Fdoc%2FEJ3010136220%2FOVIC%3Fu%3Dpl2683%26sid%3DOVIC%26xid%3Daca10027. Accessed 7 Mar. 2019. Originally published as "What about the Children?" Marriage-Just a Piece of Paper?, edited by Katherine Anderson, et al., William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2002, pp. 92-105.

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How the children of divorce might be affected.

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Is A Good Divorce Better Than A Bad Marriage For Kids?