---
title: When will things get better?
description: Smart Divorce's resident blogger, Tamsin Caine, gives her thoughts on when things will finally get better, post divorce and beyond.
---

<https://twitter.com/smartdivorcefp> <https://facebook.com/smartdivorcefp> <https://instagram.com/smartdivorce> <https://smartdivorce.co.uk/contact>

[0161 706 1072](tel:01617061072)

[![logo-colour](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/hubfs/brand-logos/logo-colour.svg "logo-colour")](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/)

[![logo-white](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/hubfs/brand-logos/logo-white.svg "logo-white")](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/)

- [About you](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/about-you)
- [About us](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/about-us)
- [What we do](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/what-we-do)
- [FAQs](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/faqs)
- [Blog](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog)
- [Contact](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/contact)

This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached.

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

<https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/when-will-things-get-better#site-search-modal>

# When will things get better?

 Wellbeing

 how long after divorce

 Articles

 financial planning

 Altrincham

 Separation

 divorce

 2 minute read   
by Tamsin Caine

You’ve just separated, the kids are upset, money is tight, you feel like you’ve gained an extra full time job, you’re trying to negotiate time with the kids and finances with your ex; When will things get better?

I’m sure this is a question asked by everyone in this position. I asked a former colleague who’d been through it, who comfortingly told me that it would be four years before everything will be sorted out…

“Four years??” I hear you cry. Don’t worry, whilst it might take a long time to resolve everything, I firmly believe that 12 months into separation and things will start to look better, easier, calmer. I don’t, unfortunately, mean that everything will be sorted out but you will be finding life more straightforward.

### How do I know?

I don’t, I can’t guarantee it. However, I told my friend the same thing when she separated from her husband. Twelve months later, she reminded me of what I had said. At the time, she couldn’t see that in just a year everything would have settled down but it had.

How do you make it happen? I’m a list person so I made a list of the things I needed to do. To assist you, I have written a guide called [**“Beginning to plan your finances after divorce”**](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/beginning-to-plan-your-finances-after-separation/), which you can download. If you would like further help, please drop me an email.

If possible, try to keep things amicable with your ex. It’s a good idea to meet for coffee on neutral ground to discuss how you will divide time with the children and how you might separate your finances. If you can’t do this on your own, speaking to a mediator can help. They will sit down with both of you and help you to work through the decisions that need to be made. We can help you to find a suitable mediator locally, [**please get in touch.**](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/contact/)

Lastly, try to make some time for yourself. Whether it’s half an hour for a walk, going to the gym, getting your nails done, it is important that you look after you and your mental health. Things will get better. It just takes time.

---

### Next steps

If you think we could help you, please send an email to Tamsin@smartdivorce.co.uk or download our [guide](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/beginning-to-plan-your-finances-after-separation/) for the first steps.

Tamsin Caine works with divorcing couples and individuals to help them to sort out their finances fairly and amicably. She helps them to understand what they want from their future lives and the steps needed to get there. She is a Chartered Financial Planner and founder of Smart Divorce. Tamsin can help at any stage of the divorce process. If you would like to arrange a free initial meeting, or just have a question, please get in touch either by phoning 07975 922766 or emailing.

## Latest insights and articles

[Lifestyle](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/lifestyle) [Relationships](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/relationships) [financial planning](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/financial-planning) [divorce](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/divorce) [Blog](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/blog)

##### Do you believe in second chances?

[Read more](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/do-you-believe-in-second-chances)

 3 minute read

[Lifestyle](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/lifestyle) [Relationships](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/relationships) [financial planning](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/financial-planning) [divorce](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/divorce) [Blog](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/blog)

##### How Hard Is It To Say No?

[Read more](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/how-hard-is-it-to-say-no)

 3 minute read

[financial planning](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/financial-planning) [divorce](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/divorce) [Blog](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/tag/blog)

##### The Questions Almost Every Divorce Client Asks (But Often Too Late)

[Read more](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/the-questions-almost-every-divorce-client-asks)

 2 minute read

[See all articles](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog)

![Smart divorce](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/hubfs/brand-logos/logo-colour.svg "Smart divorce")

<https://twitter.com/smartdivorcefp> <https://facebook.com/smartdivorcefp> <https://instagram.com/smartdivorce>

#### Menu

- [About you](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/about-you)
- [About us](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/about-us)
- [What we do](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/what-we-do)
- [FAQs](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/faqs)
- [Blog](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog)
- [Contact](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/contact)

#### Address

Beehive Lofts, Unit 4.1  
Waulk Mill  
51 Bengal Street  
Manchester  
M4 6LN

![AFPF_logo_118-small](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/website-images/accreditations/AFPF_logo_118-small.jpeg?width=200&height=58&name=AFPF_logo_118-small.jpeg)

![ch firm58](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/website-images/accreditations/ch%20firm58.png?width=241&height=58&name=ch%20firm58.png)

 

#### Sign up to our newsletter

- [Privacy Policy](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/privacy-policy)
- [Terms and Conditions](https://smartdivorce.co.uk/terms-and-conditions)

Site developed by [ClientsFirst](https://www.clients-first.co.uk/)

Smart Divorce is a trading style of Smart Financial Planning Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can find Smart Financial Planning Ltd on the FCA register by [clicking here](https://register.fca.org.uk/ShPo_FirmDetailsPage?id=001b000000Mg7KfAAJ). Smart Financial is registered in England & Wales. Company number: 06274060. Registered Office: Beehive Lofts, Unit 4.1, Waulk Mill, 51 Bengal Street, Manchester, M4 6LN. The guidance and/or advice contained in this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore restricted to consumers based in the UK. The FCA does not regulate tax or estate planning.

© 2026 All rights reserved.

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Tamsin Caine",
    "url" : "https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/author/tamsin"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-09-06T10:59:51.707Z",
  "datePublished" : "2018-09-27T20:00:39.000Z",
  "headline" : "When will things get better?",
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/when-will-things-get-better",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://smartdivorce.co.uk/hubfs/brand-logos/logo-colour.svg"
    },
    "name" : "Smart Divorce"
  }
}
```