Why starting over in your twenties could be a liberating, fulfilling journey
Sophie Turner, like many young women facing divorce, has been met with a wave of public scrutiny. Yet, single mother and author Rebecca Cox sees the potential in early divorce as a source of personal growth and happiness. Reflecting on her own experience, Cox, who separated at 31, agrees with model and actress Emily Ratajkowski’s sentiment: there’s something “chic” about embracing young divorce, turning heartbreak into a new beginning.
Unlike Ratajkowski’s immediate chicness, Cox initially felt overwhelmed by her role as a single mother to a toddler and the societal stigma around divorce. However, she soon realised that shedding a mismatched marriage gave her a chance to reshape her life. Six years later, Cox is thriving, having co-authored How To Be A Happy Single Parent. She champions embracing new chapters as opportunities for growth, and encourages rejecting negative narratives around divorce.
Navigating a divorce can feel destabilising at first. The period of adjustment requires patience, self-compassion, and time to rebuild one’s life. But, as Cox notes, this “something new” offers a chance for a fresh start, armed with greater wisdom and experience. Far from a failure, walking away from an ill-suited partnership can be an empowering, sensible decision.
Cox and her co-author Zoë Desmond interviewed Helen Thorn, author of Get Divorced, Be Happy, for their book. Thorn emphasised that the stigma surrounding divorce often prevents people from leaving unhappy marriages. But, she insists, life post-divorce can bring unexpected joy and fulfilment, offering the happiness many hoped marriage would deliver.
Ultimately, being divorced doesn’t equate to failure—it’s a chance to redefine oneself and, potentially, find love again. As Cox highlights, prioritising one’s future happiness is a brave and commendable step. With the perspective of Ratajkowski and countless others, early divorce becomes not an end but an invitation to create a life more aligned with who you truly are.
