Divorce is a substantial transition, even for those that are relatively well prepared to look forward to their new lives as an independent person. Stepping out as a newly single person after a divorce can seem unfamiliar and awkward at first. Newly single individuals may find that not only do they interact differently with others but that others also interact differently with them.

While these external interactions may sometimes be beyond our control, we are in control of other areas of our lives. One of these is our home. Making the transition from a home with two partners in marriage to the home of a single individual can pose challenges but it can also be an opportunity.

Reshaping your personal space can be an empowering experience. For the person who remains in what had previously been the marital home, there will likely be an urge to erase all traces of the former spouse. Some changes, such as taking down wedding pictures, may be an obvious first step, but other decision may require more deliberation.

It may make sense to change the home's configuration. You may no longer wish to sleep in the master bedroom. This may make sense, you could change it into a den or other public space, particularly if plan on doing more social entertaining than you had in the past. On the other hand maybe a new coat of paint and a change in the arrangement of furniture makes more sense.

Whatever you decide to do this is an opportunity make an external expression of yourself as a newly independent person.

Source: The Huffington Post, "Changing It Up From 'We' To 'Me'," Deborah Moskovitch, Feb. 6, 2012