Want to mark the end of a story with a strong moment? More and more people are choosing to celebrate their separation with a divorce party. Between a trend imported from the United States and the need to turn the page, this new way of experiencing divorce raises questions.
A phenomenon from across the Atlantic
In the United States, divorce parties have almost become an institution. In France, the trend is arriving timidly, but it appeals to those who want to celebrate the end of a marriage as a new beginning. This is the case of Marianne, interviewed by our colleagues from HuffPost. “My divorce was finalized in July 2019, and I celebrated it that same evening“, says this 39-year-old lawyer, who experienced a trying separation. “Even though I had been separated for a year and a half when we signed, I felt that it was not a trivial step. I wanted to cross it like a wedding, surrounded by the people I love“.
For the occasion, Marianne even adopted certain wedding codes, with a touch of irony. “I wore a white dress, I treated myself to a piece of jewelry and I ordered a cake with figurines of the bride and groom, except that the husband had his head cut off“, she remembers with a laugh. This moment of celebration helped her “overcome sadness and grief” from his past relationship.
A way to reclaim your history
Celebrating your divorce is not denying the pain, but recognizing that separation also marks a life transition. By bringing together loved ones, everyone transforms this intimate stage into a moment of solidarity, humor and sometimes even rebirth. In a context where divorce is often perceived as a failure, these evenings provide a positive alternative: that of assuming one’s new freedom.
Psychologically, this approach may make sense. Clinical psychologist Amélie Boukhobza believes that celebrating your separation can even have a beneficial effect. “Celebrate your divorce, why not? If it goes well and everyone agrees… It’s an opportunity to mark the end of a chapter so why not have a party to symbolize the start of a new stage of life. This celebration can also be therapeutic for some, especially if you are supported by friends. It is also a way of asserting yourself to celebrate your divorce… By supporting your independence and regaining confidence in life following an often not very fun period“.
A celebration of oneself, more than a farewell to the other
Beyond a simple celebration, the “divorce party” becomes a personal ritual. It’s a time to rebuild yourself, take responsibility for your history and redefine it in your own way. In a society where marriages are still widely publicized, why not normalize the celebration of a well-lived separation? For many, it’s a way of saying: “I’m fine, and I’m getting my life back in hand“.