Divorce & Your Career: How High-Achieving Women Can Navigate Both Without Losing Ground
Just 3 months after my husband dropped the bombshell of divorce on me, I was offered the chance of a promotion at work. Yikes! This really wasn’t a great time and I definitely wasn’t on top form. However, I didn’t have a lot of choice at the time, and saying ‘no’ to the opportunity would have probably been more damaging and so I went for it! And got it! And did a pretty good job of it too.
I get that if you have a high powered job, you might be worried about the impact and that is understandable so here’s a few thoughts and tips that might help.
“Can I handle a divorce without it wrecking my career?”
If you’re a high-achieving woman navigating divorce, you’ve likely asked yourself:
“Will I be too emotionally drained to perform at my best?”
“Will my colleagues or boss see me differently?”
“How do I juggle work, legal meetings, and parenting—without burning out?”
“Will this derail the success I’ve worked so hard for?”
Divorce is one of life’s biggest upheavals, but here’s the truth: You don’t have to choose between handling your divorce and maintaining your career success. You can do both. Smartly. Strategically. On your terms.
Let’s talk about how you can protect your career, your confidence, and your future while going through a divorce.
1. Control the Narrative: Own Your Story at Work
💬 “Will people gossip? Should I even tell my boss?”
🚫 The Fear: That your divorce will become the office talk, leading to judgement or doubts about your performance.
✔️ The Reality: You control how much (or how little) you share. Keep it simple, professional, and focused on solutions, not problems.
💡 How to Approach It:
Decide who needs to know – Your boss? Close colleagues? HR? Keep it on a need-to-know basis.
Keep it brief – “I’m going through a personal transition, but I have everything under control.”
Reassure them – If needed, let your employer know you’re managing things proactively. Most professionals don’t need every detail—just reassurance that you’ve got it covered.
🚀 Power Move: If you're in leadership, use this as an opportunity to show resilience. How you handle challenges sets the tone for those around you.
2. Boundaries Are Your Best Friend
💬 “How do I focus on work when my personal life is falling apart?”
🚫 The Fear: That your divorce will consume you, affecting your ability to perform at work.
✔️ The Reality: Setting clear emotional and time boundaries is the key to keeping your professional life intact.
💡 What to Do:
Create ‘divorce-free zones’ – Set specific hours where you don’t think or talk about divorce (especially during work hours).
Use a dedicated email for legal matters – Keep your work inbox clear of distractions.
Schedule set times for divorce tasks – Instead of dealing with divorce matters throughout the day, schedule dedicated time blocks so they don’t seep into your work focus.
🚀 Power Move: Treat your divorce like a high-stakes work project—plan, strategise, and delegate where needed. You don’t have to do it all alone.
3. Keep Your Productivity (and Sanity) Intact
💬 “Will I be too emotionally exhausted to perform at my best?”
🚫 The Fear: That the stress of divorce will lead to missed deadlines, mistakes, or burnout.
✔️ The Reality: Yes, divorce is draining. But with the right coping strategies, you can stay mentally sharp and focused.
💡 How to Stay on Track:
Prioritise energy over time – Focus on what fuels you: Exercise, sleep, and nutrition impact productivity more than sheer hours at a desk.
Outsource what drains you – Can you get a divorce coach? A cleaner? A meal delivery service? The less mental load, the better.
Use the “3 Must-Do” Rule – Each day, identify the three non-negotiable work tasks that move the needle forward. If everything feels overwhelming, just start with three.
🚀 Power Move: Use work as a mental reset, not just an obligation. A structured work environment can actually provide stability when everything else feels chaotic.
4. Protect Your Reputation and Future Success
💬 “Will my divorce impact my professional image?”
🚫 The Fear: That your divorce will make you look “less together” in the eyes of your colleagues, clients, or superiors.
✔️ The Reality: How you handle this transition speaks louder than the divorce itself.
💡 How to Keep Your Reputation Strong:
Avoid emotional oversharing – Vent to friends, not in the office or on social media.
Maintain professionalism in legal battles – A messy, public divorce can reflect poorly in professional circles.
Stay visible and engaged – Don’t retreat. Keep showing up, contributing, and leading.
🚀 Power Move: Use this as an opportunity to reinvent yourself professionally—take on a leadership role, start a passion project, or negotiate that raise (yes, even during a divorce!).
5. Plan for Financial Stability and Career Growth
💬 “Will I be able to maintain my lifestyle alone?”
🚫 The Fear: That divorce will derail your financial security and career progression.
✔️ The Reality: Financial independence is possible—and it starts with being proactive, not reactive.
💡 Smart Financial Moves:
Know your worth – Understand your assets, salary potential, and any financial benefits owed to you post-divorce.
Negotiate strategically – Your divorce settlement impacts your career choices—don’t settle out of fear or fatigue.
Think long-term – Now is the time to level up, not scale back. Consider investing in coaching, training, or career advancement that will set you up for long-term success.
🚀 Power Move: Divorce can be the catalyst for career acceleration. Many women use this time to shift into leadership, start businesses, or demand the pay raises they once hesitated to ask for.
The Bottom Line: Divorce Doesn’t Define You—How You Handle It Does
Your career isn’t at risk because of your divorce. It’s at risk if you let fear and stress take control.
This is your opportunity to show resilience, reclaim control, and emerge stronger than before.
💬 What’s your biggest concern about balancing divorce and career? Book a free consultation with me and let’s talk about those fears that are keeping you stuck!
