Read ‘em and weep (or laugh).
We have lots to say. We hope it helps in some small way!
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Hey Olivia: I Thought I'd Feel Relieved. Instead I've Been Crying for Days.
A reader wonders why signing the divorce papers broke her open — and asks the question so many of us are afraid to ask out loud.
Divorce 101: J Is for Judgment (and July)
Your July cheat sheet for understanding what a divorce judgment actually means — minus the legalese, plus the emotional reality nobody warns you about.
Jenny Says So: “But Divorce Is So Hard on the Kids…”
You don't owe strangers your justification. You can be compassionate without accepting shame — and protect your kids without performing your pain for the public.
Hey Olivia: What Actually Happens to Family Heirlooms When You Get Divorced?
A reader wants to know how divorce handles the things that matter most — and discovers this is one of the most emotionally complicated questions nobody prepares you for.
Divorce 101: J Is for Joint Custody (and June)
Joint custody is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — concepts in divorce. It doesn't automatically mean a 50/50 split. It's not a scorecard. And it's not a measure of parental worth. This piece breaks down what joint custody actually means, why the distinction between legal and physical custody matters, and how to think about it as a framework — not a competition.
Jenny Says So: The Post-Divorce Set-Up Parade
What do you do when everyone wants to set you up — but you're still figuring out who you are post-divorce? In this column, Jenny tackles the pressure to date before you're ready, why your timeline isn't anyone else's business, and the exact scripts to shut it down with grace. Kindness doesn't require compliance.
Hey Olivia: I'm Watching Myself Sink Into Debt in Real Time
A reader asks how to survive a high-conflict divorce when her ex has all the resources — and all the leverage.
So You Want to Be a Registry Fairy
A Registry Fairy is exactly what it sounds like: a person who occasionally receives a Fresh Starts registry link and decides, on their own terms, whether to purchase something from it. No formal training. No monthly commitment. No pressure. You sign up, you get added to the list, and when we have a registry to share, we'll send it your way.
The Registry Fairy: A Small Act That Lands Hard
The Registry Fairy started as something we just quietly did. We kept a list of people who wanted to be that stranger, and when registries came in, we supported them. No fanfare, no formal launch. Just people taking care of other people in a real and tangible way.
Fortune Teller
We made you a fortune teller because we can pretend it’s middle school again but leave all the bad parts in the past.
Hey Olivia: Am I Allowed to Ask for Help Starting Over?
When you’re divorcing and staring at your bank app, it can feel like the floor is dropping out from under you. You’re not lazy, you’re not behind—you’re in survival mode, trying to keep everyone fed and the legal plates spinning.
Divorce 101: M Is for Mediation (and May)
May is a month of growth and possibility. It’s when things begin to open, stretch, and soften after a long winter. That makes it a fitting time to talk about one of the most effective—and often misunderstood—paths through divorce: mediation.
Jenny Says So: I’m not okay, but I’m also not up for sharing
Divorce makes you a subject. Suddenly everyone wanted the story — neighbors, relatives, the well-meaning acquaintance sliding into your DMs. And every time someone asks, it's like being pulled back into the worst chapter and forced to summarize it in 30 seconds.
You're not obligated to satisfy curiosity in order to be "nice." Polite doesn't mean porous. You don't owe a recap of your pain to earn your place in the room.
Hey Olivia: Realistic Ways to Make Money Fast From Home While You’re Divorcing
When you’re divorcing and staring at your bank app, it can feel like the floor is dropping out from under you. You’re not lazy, you’re not behind—you’re in survival mode, trying to keep everyone fed and the legal plates spinning.
Jenny Says So: The Group Hang After the Breakup
Shared friend group post-divorce? You’re allowed to ask for a softer landing. It’s not rude to request some events without your ex—or at least a heads-up for smaller gatherings. Lead with clarity + generosity: you’re not demanding, you’re helping friends host thoughtfully. If they can’t accommodate, opt out guilt-free—with love and manners.
Divorce 101: M Is for Marital Assets (and March)
March has a way of waking us up—windows open, closets emptied, life quietly asking: what are we carrying forward? That’s why this month, in our Divorce 101 A to Z series, M is for Marital Assets. Marital assets are the things built during the marriage—sometimes obvious (the house, savings, retirement), sometimes surprising (stock options, points, miles)—and understanding them matters because you can’t protect or divide what you don’t even realize exists. This isn’t about being combative; it’s about getting clear, gathering what’s real, and making intentional choices as you step into what’s next.
Hey Olivia: Where Do I Even Begin the Divorce Process?
Olivia responds to a reader who’s been living with daily rejection for years—trying to stay for the kids and the cost of life, while hoping to avoid attorneys if possible. With warmth and clarity, Olivia offers a gentle, beginner-friendly roadmap: start with safety, quietly gather key documents, understand your real numbers, explore non-court options, and take one small next step (with Fresh Starts Registry there to help you map it all out).
Jenny Says So: The Divorce Announcement Dilemma
You’re not obligated to make a public “divorce announcement” — you can share quietly, selectively, and in whatever format feels safest. Jenny offers a simple boundary-first approach that reduces emotional labor and keeps you from over-explaining. Using the VASE Method (Validate, Acknowledge, Support, Express), you can tell the truth with warmth, clarity, and a built-in “no details” line that protects your peace.
Divorce 101: F Is for Financial Disclosure (and February)
February has a reputation for being about love—roses, chocolates, grand gestures. But in the world of divorce, February often marks something quieter and far more practical: clarity. That’s why this month, in our Divorce 101 A to Z series, F is for Financial Disclosure.