Hope Notes | No. 2

This week's quote

"Only when we are are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light." —Brene Brown, Author

This week's read

The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist by Debbie Mirza served as a huge stepping stone in unpacking the trauma that I experienced in the unraveling of my marriage as well as in identifying and understanding the toxicity that had always existed in my relationship. Mirza’s experiences felt like they could have been my own, and it validated so many of the feelings that I had, but couldn’t quite identify or articulate, that so many victims of narcissist abuse have endured. —Hillary

This week's tip for connection

Connection with yourself is just as important as connecting with others. One way we've done this—Hillary more consistently than me—is by keeping a journal. It's helped us create order when our world is in chaos. We've gotten to know the divorced versions of ourselves by revealing our most private fears, thoughts, and feelings at every step of the journey. It is hard to look back at some of what we've written, but it has also been a great way to chart our progress toward healing. The good news? You don't have to journal daily to connect with yourself at various stages along this journey. Let your feelings lead you to the right frequency for journaling or another method of connecting with yourself. Sometimes a good cry is better than a journal entry because the ultimate goal is to embrace what you're feeling before it overwhelms your ability to function. —Bethany

This month's calendar

Grab your spot for our first virtual Coffee & Conversation this Saturday, October 5 at 12 p.m. ET. This is a casual gathering and you are welcome to drop by for a quick chat or stay the entire time. The goal is to leave with more hope in our hearts and encouragement for the days ahead. There is a small fee of $6 (register here) to limit trolls and ensure that everyone attending is committed to being there.

It's hard to believe that our Fall Event is almost here. Get ready for a night of community, great music, food, games, and goodies for all who attend. Hopkins Farm Brewery in Havre de Grace, MD is a beautiful setting and worth the road trip if you are within driving distance. Register to attend this free event via Eventbrite.

This week's reel

Laughter is an important part of healing so we are highlighting our most-liked reel of the week. If you haven't seen it, head over to the post and spend some time in the comments. People sharing how they relate to the reel is the best part.

This promise

We promise that you will never be alone. We set out to create a space where anyone experiencing the isolation of a failing relationship, separation, and divorce would know that someone was on the other side of this pain. Email us at hello@sincerelydivorced.com, DM us on Instagram, or request a hope note for reminders that you never have to do this alone.

This mission

Sincerely, Divorced is a labor of love. From the handwritten notes of encouragement sent all over the world to the time we spend creating content and community, our mission to disrupt the prevailing narrative and experience of divorce has never been more urgent.

Through your attendance at local events, subscription, willingness to share our content, or donation of any amount, your support keeps us going and focused on developing additional resources and programs for the Sincerely, Divorced community. Thank you for being here.

XX, Bethany & Hillary