Mandy Walker of the Since
My Divorce website collects divorce stories and somehow pulls out nuggets of
wisdom from these stories that we can all learn something from. She did an
interview with me at the end of October to learn more about my own divorce
story. It was an enjoyable, hour-long interview. At the time, she planned to
feature pieces of this interview on her website in February next year, but I
learned over Christmas that she had decided to do so this week instead.
Strangely, even though I know we had a really great conversation, I can now only
remember bits and pieces of exactly what we talked about. All the more reason
why I’ll be checking in to see what it was we discussed and what she managed to
pull out from whatever was said.
I do remember she ended the interview with a warning that when her interviewees read their individual stories as told by someone else, they're always a bit taken aback by the sound of their 'voice.' What she meant was that when her interviewees read about themselves or about what they've said, they usually feel it sounds nothing like them at all. I have no idea what I'll think. I'll just have to wait and see.
She typically shares portions of the interviews in a series of about 3 different blog posts or so. If you’d like to check in, too, you may do so at sincemydivorce.com. The first rmj-related blog post, though, can be accessed right here: http://www.sincemydivorce.com/deciding-to-divorce-takes-time/
I do remember she ended the interview with a warning that when her interviewees read their individual stories as told by someone else, they're always a bit taken aback by the sound of their 'voice.' What she meant was that when her interviewees read about themselves or about what they've said, they usually feel it sounds nothing like them at all. I have no idea what I'll think. I'll just have to wait and see.
She typically shares portions of the interviews in a series of about 3 different blog posts or so. If you’d like to check in, too, you may do so at sincemydivorce.com. The first rmj-related blog post, though, can be accessed right here: http://www.sincemydivorce.com/deciding-to-divorce-takes-time/
Happy Holidays
Another post by Mandy Walker on Since My Divorce: http://www.sincemydivorce.com/the-conflict-between-church-and-divorce/.
ReplyDeleteIt’s good to reach out to women who are in the same situation as you. Talking to them will help you learn how to cope from a divorce. You’ll be able to give each other emotional support. I know that that is your family’s role, but I believe it would be best to get involved in a group where you all share a common ground, which what makes it easier to relate with each other.
ReplyDeleteLaine Harwell
Thanks for the advice, Laine. I certainly see the value of having divorce support groups and agree that people with whom you share similar experiences can be a greater source of support than even your own family. It'll take a while for divorce support groups to really take root in my context, though, for all kinds of cultural reasons. Hopefully, this blog is one way of reaching out in the meantime ...
DeleteI think it’s wonderful that you are talking about your experience. Divorce is nasty business, no matter who you are or where you’re from. But, it’s what happens to each person that’s the real story. I’m sure that your story will enlighten other people from all kinds of background. By sharing your experience for a book, you’ve already indirectly helped someone who might be from a different culture but going through something similar.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lucas. I do agree that it doesn't really matter where you're from. The divorce experience is a 'culture' in itself. The experiences of people that go through it are remarkably similar. I can't remember what I was reading this week exactly, but someone was sharing their divorce experiences, and I had to read the write-up twice because I could've sworn I wrote it! Thanks for stopping by and for the encouraging words.
DeleteBeing divorced doesn’t define who a person is. The important thing is to learn the lessons from such life experiences. Mistakes do happen in real life and some people are destined to come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this nugget of wisdom, Jermaine.
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