The Day I Realized I Didn't Want To Go Back Home To My Husband

"It took a few months for me to come up with the courage to do what I knew I needed to do."
One particular Kelly Clarkson song was just the push mom and blogger Kasey Ferris needed to leave her marriage.
altrendo images via Getty Images
One particular Kelly Clarkson song was just the push mom and blogger Kasey Ferris needed to leave her marriage.

If there’s ever a time you need a little distraction in your life, it’s during the divorce process. That’s why we launched our Divorce Care Package series. With each post, we’ll show you what things — books, movies, recipes — helped others relieve stress in the midst of divorce, in the hopes that a few of their picks will serve you well too. Want to share what got you through your divorce? Email us at divorce@huffingtonpost.com.

Five years ago, writer Kasey Ferris split from her husband after six years of marriage. These days, she feels like an entirely different -- and better! -- person.

"My divorce feels like it was so long ago," Ferris told The Huffington Post. "I feel like I've come so far since then. Who I am is totally different than who I was when I was married, which is a testament to how I've moved on."

Below, the Nebraska-based freelance writer and mother of five shares a few things -- including travel and a game-changing Kelly Clarkson song -- that helped make the process of letting go easier.

The Quote
trusjom via Getty Images
"I'm a big believer in the healing power of words, so I'm sort of an inspirational quote junkie. I was big into positive thinking -- in fact, that's the time in my life I point to when I realize I'd become an optimist instead of a cynic. So a lot of my favorite quotes and sayings had to do with the fact that my thoughts were creating my reality. One I loved in particular is 'Respect yourself enough to walk away from things that no longer serve you, grow you or make you happy.' Sure, I could be pissed, upset, hurt, whatever -- and I needed to feel those things, too -- but at the end of the day, if I wanted a happier existence, I first had to start working on my head."
The Splurge
Courtesy of Kasey Ferris
"I have friends around the country and I started really focusing on travel a lot more. I lived on a tight budget and squirreled away every single dime I could, then got on a plane whenever possible and, when I couldn't, I would get in the car and road trip. My favorite place was Coronado, California (still is, actually), mostly because my best friend lived there. Travel has always been so incredibly soul-cleansing for me. Here I am (far left) with two friends at the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island.
The Work Of Art
Christopher Furlong
"I found Jack Vettriano and fell in love. I bought a giant print of his 'The Singing Butler.' It's still in my living room."
The Hobby
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"I followed my curiosities regardless of how they came to me. I took a class on palm reading once (talk about a fun party trick!). I started learning another language. I worked a lot on my writing and the experience fed my first book which eventually went on to win third place in the Women's Fiction Writer's Association's Rising Star contest. I followed whatever curiosities I came across and wound up having some pretty amazing stories come out of it."

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