Whether you saw it coming due to a slowly deteriorating relationship, or you never had a clue due to the sudden death of a spouse or mate, becoming "suddenly single" is a situation you can never truly prepare for in advance.  Regardless of how it happened, I would like to offer three (3) important tips that will help you cope with being thrust back into single life.

1.) Don't be in a rush to enter into a new relationship!  It doesn't matter HOW  

     or WHY you became single again.  Trust me... Just DON'T RUSH IN !!  

    (See tip #2)

2.) Don't make any decisions that will lead to significant or long-term

     commitments!  Avoid buying or selling things like an expensive car, a boat, a

     residence home, or a vacation home.  Take the time to plan each and every

     move and to weigh all of your options.  You won't believe how something

     you thought was "crystal clear" early on in your new single life can look so 

     frivolous (or even downright crazy) a year or two later.

3.) NEVER stop socializing and don't drive all of your social contacts away by

     talking about your divorce!  Your relationship ended, not your life and nearly

     everyone has at least one close friend to confide in without the fear of

     alienation.  Respect your own judgment regarding how, when and where to

     socialize and forget about what "others might think."  If you have the

     responsibility of raising small children, don't use that as an excuse to stop

     socializing.  Get a parent, grandparent, friend or babysitter to watch the

     children at least once a week.  There are many alternatives, such as church

     groups, special interest clubs, etc. to keep you socially active.   Social skills

     can, and do, get rusty if not exercised.