When I was faced with going through a divorce, I immediately began teaching myself the guitar. I had had one for years, but never put the time into it, mainly because I always considered myself too busy. But once my wife left, I found myself playing for hours, and as I improved, the more I played. It became almost an addiction, hearing a song earlier in the day, then going home and looking up the tabs to see how quick I could pick it up.

After about a year, I joined a band and played with them for about another year, doing the gig thing and enjoying the nights out. But it was more than going out and partying. After leaving the scene, moving on and getting remarried, I realize how much that part of my life helped me get through my divorce. I never noticed at the time, but there were benefits I was experiencing and I never even knew.

Increase Confidence

When you’re left alone facing a divorce, your confidence can be the first to suffer. Learning something new, like playing the guitar, can help restore that confidence, but you have to stick with it. In the beginning it can be difficult and frustrating trying to get your fingers to do something they’ve never done before, but stick with it. Once you play that first riff, it opens the floodgate and you’re off running. You’ll feel good about accomplishing something and others will notice a change without you even saying anything.

Increase Social Interaction

Your social interaction can suffer along with or from a lack of confidence after going through a divorce. Some may be ok, but if you’re anything like I was, you may shut down socially. Learning the guitar assisted in getting me back out into the social scene, meeting new people. In fact, that’s exactly how I met my new wife. Besides, when you learn the guitar, you will definitely want to show off a little. Women respond very positive to someone who shows an interest in something, and music is a wonderful talent to share.

Distraction

In the beginning of going through a divorce, finding a distraction was a necessity for me. I didn’t want to sit around and think of what my future ex wife was doing. There was nothing worse than being home alone and wondering what your ex is doing early in the separation. this distraction helped divert my attention away from negatives and focus on developing a positive outlet.

Getting through a divorce for men can be filled with uncertainty and anxiety, causing worry and stress. After going through a divorce myself, having something personal like playing the guitar made me realize how important having my own interest was. We may get caught up in life and set it on cruise control, but we’re the last to know when we begin to lose touch with ourselves.