Originally Published Oct 2020, updated May 2025
When life takes an unexpected turn, having a strategy can make all the difference. As a Central Illinois divorce coach, I’ve seen how preparation transforms overwhelming situations into manageable challenges.
The Plans We Make (And When They Fall Apart)
You plan your days, weeks, and long-term goals meticulously. You carefully chart your educational path and college choices. You strategize career moves and professional development. And of course, you invest tremendous energy planning your relationships and marriage—from the types of people you date, to your engagement, wedding day, and the rhythm of your marital home.
But what happens when your well-thought-out plans go awry? When your careful planning feels like it was for nothing? What happens when life throws you a curveball you never saw coming?
Divorce in Central Illinois, like anywhere else, rarely appears on anyone’s vision board. Yet for many, it becomes a reality that demands navigation.
The Unexpected Journey of Divorce Recovery
Do you plan for potential disruptions? Do you consider how a divorce might proceed if it became necessary? Have you thought about how your career might shift as a newly single parent? What about preparing for those initial lonely nights? Most of us don’t consider these possibilities when planning our futures, seeing them as failures rather than potential chapters in our lives.
If you find yourself facing an unplanned life change like a divorce in Illinois or elsewhere, I encourage you to try reframing it. Rather than viewing it as a failure, see it as:
- An obstacle to be overcome
- An unexpected challenge that will build resilience
- A creative opportunity to reinvent aspects of your life
- A gift that allows you to revisit goals and dreams that may have been set aside during marriage, career-building, and raising children
Why “Planning to Fail” Is Actually Planning to Succeed
In my own marriage, I’ve adopted what I call “planning to fail” strategies—though I prefer to think of them as contingency planning. For example, I maintain a folder titled “If Something Ever Happens to Me.” As the primary financial planner in our family, if I were to pass away or become incapacitated suddenly, I want one less thing for Ben to worry about.
On the flip side, my husband handles all maintenance and repairs for our home and rental properties. If something were to happen to him, I have a carefully organized file of contacts to call to handle various responsibilities as they arise.
This isn’t pessimistic thinking—it’s practical preparation that acknowledges life’s uncertainties. I firmly believe that planning for setbacks is equally as important as planning for success. This approach allows us to:
- Prevent major disruptions from capsizing our entire life’s journey
- Transform what could be devastating failures into manageable challenges
- Recover and pivot faster toward new goals
- Still achieve success, albeit sometimes on a different course
Divorce Coaching in Central Illinois: Finding Your Path Forward
When facing divorce, having someone walk alongside you through this uncharted territory can make all the difference. As a divorce recovery coach serving Peoria, Springfield, and Champaign, I’ve helped many clients transform what initially felt like catastrophic failure into a foundation for an even more authentic and fulfilling life.
The process of divorce recovery isn’t about pretending the pain doesn’t exist. It’s about acknowledging it while simultaneously creating a vision for what comes next. It’s about honoring your past while not becoming trapped by it.
How Central Illinois Divorce Coaching Can Help
Working with a divorce coach in Central Illinois offers several advantages:
- Local knowledge and resources: Understanding the specific challenges and opportunities in our region
- Personalized guidance: Creating a tailored roadmap for your specific situation
- Emotional support: Processing feelings in a safe, non-judgmental space
- Practical planning: Developing concrete strategies for managing life transitions
- Future visioning: Reconnecting with your authentic self and dreams
Taking the First Step Toward Healing from Divorce
If planning for this unexpected life change feels overwhelming—and it often does—please know you don’t have to figure it all out alone. As a divorce coach in Central Illinois, I’m here to help you navigate this journey with compassion, practical guidance, and hope.
Send me a message to book a complimentary session to discuss where to start! I love helping people creatively explore their options and discover new possibilities for their lives, especially after divorce. Together, we can transform this challenging chapter into a foundation for renewed purpose and joy.
I’m Ready to Schedule a Free Consultation!
 | Katie Vandenberg is a Certified Divorce Coach serving Central Illinois, including Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, Champaign, Springfield, and surrounding communities. Through personalized coaching, she helps clients navigate divorce recovery and create fulfilling post-divorce lives. |
