NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Joy After Divorce Expert Amy Minkoff is earning a place on "speed dial" as a recommended resource to divorce attorneys, women's groups, and teleseminar hosts seeking a trusted expert to serve divorcing women struggling along their own journeys back to joy.
Minkoff knows the path well and understands that whatever is challenging in life feels so much harder during the divorce process. Navigating her own breast cancer journey during her divorce was a huge hurdle and also served as a wake-up call to put things in better perspective.
"When my 17-year marriage ended, I was devastated. With my breast cancer diagnosis, I was fearful about surviving to raise my children. I soon discovered I was lucky to have early stage breast cancer and expected to become cancer-free with the right treatment. I bravely made my treatment decisions on my own without the support of a mate. The thought of seeing my own body for the first time after a mastectomy without a loving partner at my side was frightening. Even more terrifying was the thought that no man would ever find me attractive again as a divorced woman with three young children in tow and only one real breast."
With persistence, help from family and friends, and support from a team of professionals including a good lawyer, financial advisor, and a yogi, Minkoff is now happier and healthier than ever. Her coaching expertise is helping women going through divorce to get on the path to joy faster than they can by going it alone. She is about to participate in her 7th 39-mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York as an 8-year breast cancer survivor. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it is also the start of the holiday season. While making it through the holidays is not as medically serious as breast cancer, the holidays and the period leading up to them can tangle with anyone's emotional health – especially women experiencing divorce. "Self-care needs to take center stage," Minkoff says.
Minkoff offers 12 self-care tips to navigate the demands of the season.
- Create new traditions and honor old ones to mark the meaning of each holiday.
- Choose not to argue with your ex over who has the children on specific days, even holidays.
- Be as cordial as possible with your ex. Save your energy for loving you, your children, family and friends.
- Accept the invitation to spend holidays with others with a smile and a gracious YES.
- Practice releasing guilt and resentment. Forgive yourself, your ex, and your children. Acknowledge negative thoughts and replace them positive with ones.
- Show empathy to yourself and your children.
- Take good care of your health. Get enough sleep. Eat healthy foods, and don't skip meals. Exercise. Get a checkup and perform a monthly self-breast exam.
- Think beyond your own world. Serve in a soup kitchen or give away unneeded items to those less fortunate.
- Connect with your spirituality. Meditate. Attend your house of worship.
- Keep a gratitude journal.
- Save money by giving gifts of time or creativity.
- Choose a word to inspire and guide all your thoughts and actions for 2014. Write it down and post it prominently so you will see it every day.
If you know a woman struggling along her journey to a better life after divorce, Minkoff suggests referring her to a divorce coach who can lend support. "This may be the greatest gift you can give during the holidays that can make the biggest difference."
Visit www.joyafterdivorceexpert.com to learn more and take the Joy After Divorce Quiz today.
For interviews and speaking engagements, call 973-204-9799 or send an email.
About Joy After Divorce Expert Amy Minkoff
Joy after Divorce Expert Amy Minkoff guides women to navigate the choppy waters of divorce with confidence to create lives filled with financial savvy, time for what matters, and the love they deserve. Her clients rave about her ability to understand the complexity of the divorce experience and value her practical solutions that lead them towards happiness. Amy earned her Certified Professional Coach from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. She graduated from the University of Virginia and earned an MBA from Columbia Business School.