For me, Elena, at 48 years old, divorce was not the end—it was the beginning of a new and exciting chapter. It wasn’t about failure, or regret, or the loss of something I thought would last forever. Divorce was the opportunity I needed to rediscover myself, to find what truly makes me happy, and to create a life that is all mine, free from the constraints and expectations I had lived under for so long.

Looking back, I realize that for years, I had been living a life that wasn’t entirely my own. In the midst of marriage, responsibilities, and raising a family, I had lost touch with the person I had once been. I had sacrificed pieces of myself in the name of love, loyalty, and duty. It wasn’t anyone’s fault—it was just the way life had unfolded. But somewhere along the way, I started feeling like a shadow of myself, unsure of who I was outside of being a wife, a mother, and a caretaker.

When the decision to divorce finally came, it wasn’t an easy one. I wrestled with doubt and guilt, wondering if I was making a mistake or if I could have tried harder to make it work. But deep inside, I knew I was at a crossroads, and if I didn’t take this step now, I would continue to live in a state of quiet dissatisfaction. I had to make the choice to reclaim my own happiness.

Divorce wasn’t just about leaving my marriage; it was about leaving behind the person I had become in that relationship—the person who had stopped pursuing her own dreams and desires. It was my chance to start anew, to reconnect with the parts of myself that I had long ignored. I spent time reflecting on what truly mattered to me: What did I enjoy doing? What made me feel alive? What were the things I had put off for years?

For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to be selfish in a way that felt good—scheduling time for self-care, focusing on my passions, and pursuing dreams that were mine alone. I took up photography, something I had always wanted to learn but had never had the time for. I joined a book club and rekindled my love of reading. I started traveling to places I had always dreamed of visiting, enjoying the freedom of choosing where to go and when, without having to compromise or consider anyone else’s preferences.

I realized that happiness doesn’t come from external validation or from fulfilling someone else’s idea of what life should look like. It comes from within. It’s about creating a life that is authentic to who I am now, not who I was in the past, and not the role I once played. Divorce allowed me to shed the expectations and limitations I had placed on myself and gave me the chance to create something entirely new.

At 48, I feel like I am just beginning to fully understand who I am and what I want out of life. I’ve learned to embrace change, to let go of what no longer serves me, and to walk forward with a sense of excitement about what’s ahead. Divorce was not the end of my story—it was the beginning of something greater, something that is all mine to create. And for the first time in a long time, I feel truly free.