Here we’ve pooled together advice we’ve gleaned from people who’ve walked this path before you. These are all things that they do, or did, when they too needed to rediscover life on their own.

When my ex left I decorated my bedroom and changed all the furniture so I didn't have to sleep in 'our' bedroom any more. I know that you can't always do that if you can't afford it but you can make smaller changes, perhaps move furniture around, put away painful reminders, maybe do something which you couldn't do when you were together with your ex. I got rid of clothes and things which he had bought for me and defiantly went out and bought a top which he had turned his nose up at a few weeks earlier!

When I was younger I was a big reader, but I got out of the habit then as my xh wasn't a book lover I never got to go and buy books so I took that up again and would lose myself in a story for a while.

re the painting your bedroom idea, if you have any old paint around ( or ask friends) you can mix it together to get a new colour that is all yours ( emulsion paint). Some charity shops sell paint too so you can get weird and wacky colours going. You might find some nice curtains there too

I painted walls pink, I seem to do it every time I feel like making a statement of independence!

I’m off on a few study days with the women’s centre doing pottery. Its free and they have a crèche. There are lots of things out there to help you out. Also consider getting a babysitter or your ex to baby-sit so you can have some free time

Now I make sure that I go out with the girls for a night out about once every 6-8 weeks....

Jumping and dancing around and singing at the top of my voice has to be one of the best therapies for me. (It also helps that the kids love the same music as me so we all lose it together!)

Meatloaf and Queen played very very loud. I also have this mantra which goes: ‘it will pass. All things pass. This too will pass’ and it usually does!

I play badminton once a week and go swimming when the kids are at school but my evening hobby is girls nights in once a fortnight - think copious amounts of food and wine and lots of bad singing and you're on the right lines

I get out to Night College once a week. It's free if you are claiming any benefits, pick something you would never have thought of doing. Not really a hobby but it does give a legitimate reason to be out and I get some sort of certificate at the end. I did Web Design last year and this year I’m doing sewing and making a pair of very unsexy pyjamas!

I read, and love colouring and online jigsaws when I get time

I started belly dancing 3 weeks ago, and it's FAB as it’s something completely frivolous and daft, and just for me!!! I'm also teaching myself to make handbags - kind of a hobby but hopefully (at some point) a money-spinner as well

I muck about with "stuff" Card and paper...pretties and material.....and wander vaguely around shops and take long bus rides just to go somewhere and be anonymous for a bit

I garden. I've got an allotment. Spending 2-3 hours a day there saves me from insanity