Oh Solo Mio: Newly Divorced?

    While movies and magazines can make flying solo sound like some kind of terminal illness, the truth is, spending time on your own is often a great way to rediscover the one person who has been there for you through it all- you!  After the divorce is final, here are seven things to do with a wonderful you as you recreate the life you always wanted.  

1. Browse the Book Aisles.
Head over to your local book store, order a frothy cappuccino or creamy hot chocolate and wander from section-to-section.  Check out new ways to redecorate your pad in the design section, visit far-away locales in the travel section or mosey on over to the classics to catch up on old favorites.

2. Unleash Your Inner Artist.
Pop into your local paint-it-yourself store and spend a day nurturing your inner Van Gough. Most locations offer a wide variety of ceramic ware to choose from and most include paint, stencils, brushes and firing in the price.  Color Me Mine is a national chain with locations all over the country. Visit http://colormemine.com/ to find the one closest to you.

3. Take Yourself on a Picnic.
Pack yourself a gourmet lunch, grab a blanket and your favorite book (or a stack of magazines) for an afternoon spent under the shadiest tree you can find.

4. Host A Movie Marathon.
Is there anything more comforting than an evening in your favorite pajamas, curled up on your couch, watching something that makes you laugh, cry or think? Load up on your favorite treats and pick out two or three movies with a running theme.  Our Pick:  Feisty Women (Barefoot Contessa starring Ava Gardner, All About Eve with Bette Davis and A Streetcar Named Desire with Vivian Leigh).

5. Teach Yourself Something New.
Twist your tongue into something saucy with at-home French, Italian or Spanish Lesson or turn up the heat by closing those shades and learning some sultry new Salsa moves on DVD.

6. Get Moving!
Lose the “No Pain, No Gain” ideology and give yourself a chance to enjoy recess at the gym, in the park or around the block.  Take a long walk around town, pop onto the treadmill or elliptical for a half an hour or hop on your bike and discover a new trail.  Not only will you release feel-good endorphins but you will be giving yourself the gift of health.

7. Start Blogging.
Log onto blogger.com and create a site where you can share your passion for food, poetry or your favorite travel spots with friends and readers from all over the world.  



Brenda Della Casa is the internationally published author of Cinderella Was a Liar (www.cinderellawasaliar.com) and has interviewed thousands of men and women on the topic of sex and love for her book, articles and a variety of relationship shows for which she helped cast.  Her site, Walking Barefoot, can be seen at www.strollwithoutshoes.com and the Cinderella blog can be seen at www.cinderellawasaliar.org