Between the emotional strain of ending a relationship and the logistical complications of tearing a shared life asunder, divorce is difficult for everyone involved. The situation only becomes more fraught if children are in the picture. With the right strategy, however, you can make the process just a little bit easier. Take these steps to lighten the load and simplify your divorce proceedings.

1. Hire a Great Divorce Attorney

You’ll never be able to deal with the legal side of a contentious divorce without a competent and dependable lawyer. Don’t simply hire the first attorney you encounter. Your divorce lawyer will have a major role in determining the conditions for the rest of your life. Choosing between different candidates is a big decision, and you should inform yourself as best you can by searching the internet and conducting interviews. Only after doing this investigative work should you hire the candidate who seems best poised to look after your interests.

2. Lean on Friends and Family for Support

While an attorney can take care of the legal side of the issue, you’ll need closer acquaintances to provide emotional support. Divorce proceedings often resemble roller coaster rides, and you never know what new hardship could emerge. You won’t be able to manage the stress and sadness on your own. This is the type of situation where friends and family can show how much they care about you. Don’t be shy about seeking their support. Emotional support is incredibly important for this sort of thing, so be sure to let someone that you trust know what is going on in your family. Good friends will never abandon you.

3. Focus on What’s Important

As the case progresses, it is easy to get bogged down in the minor details of every issue. Weeks of bitter back and forth about every tablecloth and teacup in the home can distract you from what really matters. During all the subsidiary squabbles, don’t forget that your present and future happiness is where your focus belongs. When you focus on what is important, you will have a better outlook on everything around you. Even though the process is difficult, it is up to you to focus on the positive.

4. Find Time for Doing Things You Enjoy

Nobody can survive weeks of divorce proceedings without the occasional respite. Your mind needs time to recuperate from all the stress and tension. Set aside a morning for a yoga class or an afternoon for a hike. These sessions might be short, but they’ll give you a chance to momentarily forget about the divorce. This is incredibly important as you go through this stressful process. Be sure to take care of yourself throughout the ups and downs.

Getting divorced is never easy, and there’s no way to eradicate the pain and hardship altogether. With that being said, there is plenty you can do to alleviate the suffering. The four steps mentioned above are a good place to start.