Why are endings so important? Endings lead to new beginnings. And when you consider how to end your marriage with dignity, it sets you up for success as you move forward with life. If your divorce is handled with clarity, integrity, honor, and respect, then you will feel free and fully prepared to embrace whatever comes next.

What does dignity mean to you? According to Merriam-Webster the definition of dignity is “the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed.” As I ended my marriage, I thought about how I wanted to be seen by my family, my children, and hopefully my ex. I knew that my actions and my words would reflect back on me. Operating from a place of honor and worth is not always easy when facing the end of your marriage. I admit that I wasn’t always on the high road — I took more than a few serious detours! But having a goal, and knowing how I wanted to be seen (especially by my children) was a touchstone that I could use when facing any situation or decision that came up, and in divorce there are many!

It’s Been Over For Years

Chances are your marriage has been on the rocks for sometime. No one comes to the decision to end their marriage easily. It’s one that we grapple and struggle with sometimes for years. If you’re like most people you didn’t come to the decision on your own either — you’ve probably sought the help of family, friends, or your religious community (if you have one), and/or a couple’s counselor.

Marriages break down for a reason, or multiple reasons. Maybe you have communication or intimacy problems. Perhaps you don’t see things eye-to-eye, and you have conflicting values, desires, and needs. Maybe you’ve grown apart. Or there are substance or other abuse issues. Whatever the reasons, if you’re reading this article, you’re at the place where you’re serious about ending your marriage.

Understanding why you want to end your marriage is a very helpful step towards taking action, and ultimately to healing. It helps if you are clear on what went wrong, and feel confident that you have tried everything you can to fix or accept it. Being clear will be helpful with your resolve and with your communication as you move forward with your divorce.

How To End Your Marriage With Dignity Starts With The Initial Conversation

Set the stage for the ending you want to have. Choose the place and time wisely. Do you want to do it in a neutral place? Your home? Outdoors? Someplace healing?

When my ex and I were ending our marriage, some of our best talks were on a secluded bench up in the hills of our neighborhood overlooking a canyon. Being up high physically had a calming affect on both of us, we could see for miles, and often it would help to shift our perspectives.

A private place is preferable, unless you fear for your safety, and then you may want to have the conversation in a public place, or with a trusted third party. If you’ve been doing couple’s counseling, perhaps your counselor’s office would be the best place, or if you belong to a place of worship with someone there.

You can also prep for the conversation in advance with the help of a therapist, or a divorce coach. You can explore what sentiments you’d like to express, coming up with key points you want to communicate. And even role play how you think the conversation will go, so that you may feel more confident and prepared.

Take The Time

Plan on enough time to really talk. This conversation could take some time. And you don’t want to rush it. Your spouse may not want the marriage to end. Chances are you won’t be on the same page, and this may be a huge surprise. Give your spouse the time and space to have their feelings. This could be shocking and most likely deeply upsetting.

Feelings of Grief & Loss

Grief is the loss of joy. And divorce means a lot of loss: loss of your marriage, loss of your spouse, loss of your family structure, and loss of hope for your relationship’s future, for the marriage you hoped you’d have. There’s a lot to grieve here, even if you are the one initiating the divorce.

If you’re familiar with Elizabeth Kulber-Ross’s five stages of grief, you will know that this means you and your spouse will go through feelings of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Sometimes getting stuck on one, or cycling back to the beginning with an event that triggers you or your spouse.

In this initial conversation, your spouse may just be in denial, or go through all five of the emotions/stages. It’s good to be prepared for all of them, and know how you’re going to handle those emotions, and have a general idea of what you’ll say. Expect the best, prepare for the worst.

Words Are Critical

Put thought and feeling into the words you use. Take responsibility for your choice in ending the marriage. Honor what you had in your relationship, and show respect for your partner. At this point in the relationship, when things are obviously in dire straights, this may be very difficult, and you may have to dig deep — going way back to the beginning of the relationship for positive examples, and fond feelings that you’ll be able to tap into. Answer your spouse’s questions honestly, and with kindness. Truth is like a sword, be careful how you wield it. If you can it’s best to stay calm, speak gently, and be kind — to both yourself, and your spouse. This is a heroic conversation, and the start of a hero’s journey down the path of divorce and ending your marriage with dignity.

Compassion & Clarity

Most of us don’t want to hurt our partner. We’re afraid to cause them pain. But don’t run away from this conversation or from the steps on the path to ending your marriage. Be brave, and face up to it. Deliver the initial news with compassion and clarity. However, take care to be honest and clear. Don’t be vague. A person who doesn’t want a relationship to end my grasp at any straws, any ray of hope. It is easy to misinterpret what you’re saying if you’re even a little bit unclear.

If your spouse asks for an explanation or further clarification, give it, but articulate it carefully and thoughtfully. No need to bring up past hurts, indiscretions, or fights from years ago. Minimize any words of rejection. There’s no need to cause further emotional pain or trigger feelings of abandonment in your spouse.

How do you think your spouse will react? Is there a way that you can lessen the blow? You know your spouse better than anyone. Take care to not trigger them. Create a safe space where you both can have your feelings. If you cannot do this on your own, or circumstances make it impossible, you may want the help of a therapist to guide the conversation, and create that safe place. How you end the relationship typically sets the tone for the way in which the divorce will progress.

Closure Is Important

Everyone needs closure in order to heal and move on. What are your reasons for wanting to end the marriage? Can you communicate them without tearing down or insulting the other person? Can it be framed in an “I” statement? Example, “I’m thankful for the years we’ve had together, and all of the hard work we’ve put into trying to make our relationship work. But I’m at a crossroads in life, and I’d like to take another direction. I want to end our marriage with respect, honor, and collaboration. I’d like nothing more than for us both to find happiness and joy moving forward.”

After the talk, ask your spouse what they need. Then really listen. Acknowledge their feelings.

Offer a few choices, to provide them with a semblance of control. For example, “Would you like me to sit with or hold you while you process? Or would you like me to give you some space?”

Moving Forward

It’s likely that both of you will need some time and space, it’s easy to be angry and overwhelmed by our emotions. And the next steps in the journey are major ones.

You’ll need to start untangling your marital lives, setting boundaries, choosing a divorce process, dividing assets, establishing support, creating a plan for your children (if you have them). There will be much to discuss.

Relationships get more entwined the longer they’ve lasted, and unwinding a marriage takes time. It’s not an overnight process. (The divorce process can sometimes take years.) Be patient with yourself and your spouse as you end your marriage. The courts may have a particular timeline you have to follow, but outside of that, move to your own rhythms. This is your divorce.

Starting with the initial conversation about how to end your marriage with dignity, and continuing on each step of the process, acting with dignity will serve you well, and put you firmly on a path to forgiveness, gratitude, deep understanding, compassion, and joy as you establish your new lives apart.

Are you having trouble ending your marriage? Reach out to me and we’ll explore how to end your marriage with dignity in a free 30-minute discovery session.