Dear Christina,

I just can’t stop crying. I have been separated for 6 months now and miss my husband terribly. I can’t do anything any more. I just stay at home and look at pictures of us. I know it is over, but I wish I could have my old life back and go back to the way things used to be.
What can I do? How do I get rid of this awful pain I feel? I feel like I can’t move on.

. Deeply Depressed

Dear Deeply Depressed,

It is normal to feel the sadness you are experiencing. Divorce is the death of your marriage and you will go through a period of mourning. However, at some point you need to start living again and begin enjoying life.

I would suggest that you take some small steps to feeling better by getting out of the house and spending time with other people. Call on friends and family to support you during this difficult time. Get involved in a hobby or do some volunteer work. This will help distract you and get you through the pain a little faster. Only time can mend a broken heart, the pain will not magically go away. But eventually the pain will subside and your life will have meaning and joy once again.

Dear Christina,

I have no one I can talk to about this issue. I am totally fed up. My fiancé has left me for another woman. When I confronted him, he told me that if I was “beautiful” he would have never cheated on me. I’m left with almost no self-esteem. I feel unattractive and do not know if I can ever trust another man again. Any advice?

Dumped in NJ

Dear Dumped in NJ,

You should consider yourself lucky that this insensitive, mean spirited man is no longer in your life! Please do not take his horrible comment to heart. Often when a man cheats, he feels guilty and will actually blame his wife or girlfriend for the affair. As bizarre as that sounds, it gives him an excuse, in his own mind, for having the affair.

You need to forget about his comment and be grateful that you did not marry such a cowardly man. You have a new chance now to meet someone who will love and respect you. There are good guys out there and I am sure you will eventually meet someone you can trust again.

Dear Christina,

My husband is a drug addict. I tried to help him, but he is just getting worse. He has been arrested twice and still will not stop using drugs. I keep praying that he will stop. He has a bad temper and recently lost his job. I love him and want to help him, but I am also tired of living this way. What should I do?

In love with an addict

Dear In love with an addict,

As much as you say you love your husband, do you really think you are helping him by staying with him while he does drugs? What your husband needs now is tough love. He must hit rock bottom before he will seek help. Knowing that you are there to support him does not motivate him to get the help he so desperately needs. His behavior is unacceptable and you should leave him until he gets himself into rehab and stays sober. You are putting yourself in potential danger by living with a drug abuser with a “bad temper”. Get out while you can.

Christina Rowe is the author of the best selling divorce book "Seven Secrets to a Successful Divorce-what every woman needs to know". Find out the survival skills that will save you time, money and heartache during your divorce. To read a free chapter of the book, go to:http://www.secretsofdivorce.com