Divorce

It Took 'Running Away From Home' To Really Find Myself After Divorce

Sometimes, you just need to escape.

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.

Just after her divorce was finalized in January 2011, writer Michela Montgomery packed up her two kids and set out on a vacation she had been putting on the back burner for far too long.

Below, Montegomery -- author of the action and adventure trilogy The Cave -- shares how invigorating it was to get away after her 14-year marriage ended.

The Splurge
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"I 'ran away from home' a few months after my divorce was final. I took my kids to Belize, Cozumel and Grand Cayman. It was a trip I’d begged to go on when we were married but we never had. Going on that trip was like declaring my independence."
The Songs
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"Kelly Clarkson! Pretty much anything by her, depending on my mood, worked wonders. 'Behind These Hazel Eyes' or 'Because of You' were great for kicking the crap out of a punching bag and 'Catch My Breath' was such a great recovery song. I love KC."
The Quote
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"When I heard this quote in the movie, I started crying because it was so applicable to my situation. It defined me and where I was at."
The Book
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"The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. At a time when I was questioning everything, this book taught me how to focus on being present in my life. A friend of mine recommended it and I read it whenever I need comfort."
The TV Show
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"'Friends'! I’d never seen the series, so when it came to Netflix, my kids and I got addicted. It was happy, funny, silly and light. (And spending hours watching Ross is never a bad thing.) We still have 'Friends' marathon weekends."
The Photograph
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"I decorated my bedroom with black and white pictures taken in France. I found a picture of a beach at Normandy. The trees were bare. The water was nearly still. It was silent and painful and beautiful. It still hangs on my wall today."
The Indulgence
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"There's this bakery in Boston -- Mike’s Pastries. It’s full of the best, most amazing pastries you’ll find anywhere. Whenever I go home to Boston, I get a chocolate cannoli and walk around the North End. It’s the ultimate comfort food."
The Hobby
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"Working out! After my divorce, I started working out five or six days a week. It was a great outlet for all of the pent up frustration and anger. Then I started lifting weights, taking yoga and doing pilates. I started feeling better, then looking better…and my self-esteem improved as the result."

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