Preserving Your Prosperity Assets in Divorce: Time, Energy, and Health

Divorce is often viewed as a process of dividing assets—bank accounts, retirement savings, property—but what about other assets in divorce that don’t need to be split with your spouse?

Time, energy, and health are personal prosperity assets that remain solely in our control. However, many individuals unintentionally deplete these resources through how they approach divorce. By incorporating Stoic philosophy, we can learn to navigate divorce with greater wisdom and resilience, ensuring that these prosperity assets are protected and even strengthened.

Time: Reclaiming Control Over Your Future

Divorce can consume an enormous amount of time—legal battles, emotional turmoil, and dwelling on the past. While some aspects of the process require time investments, how much time you give to resentment, blame, and rehashing old conflicts is within your control.

🔹 Stoic Perspective: Marcus Aurelius reminds us, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” Time is finite, and how we spend it is a choice. Instead of allowing past grievances to dictate your present, use your time intentionally for personal growth, healing, and forward movement.

🔹 Ask yourself: Am I using my time to rebuild and move forward, or am I stuck reliving the pain?

Energy: Protecting Your Emotional and Mental Reserves

The emotional toll of divorce can be exhausting. Arguments, court proceedings, and co-parenting conflicts drain valuable energy. Are you investing your energy in fighting, or in rebuilding? Every moment spent in anger or reactivity is energy that could be used for growth, healing, or new opportunities.

🔹 Stoic Perspective: Epictetus teaches, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” If you allow external events—such as your ex’s words or the court’s decisions—to control your emotions, you are surrendering your energy to things beyond your control. Instead, conserve your energy by focusing only on what you can change.

🔹 Ask yourself: Is this worth my energy, or am I allowing my ex-spouse to dictate how I feel?

Health: Avoiding the Physical Toll of Divorce Stress

Divorce-related stress can manifest physically—sleep disturbances, high cortisol levels, emotional eating, or even avoidance of self-care. While finances and parenting schedules can be worked out over time, your health is a non-renewable resource that requires immediate protection.

🔹 Stoic Perspective: Seneca cautions against excessive worry, stating, “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.”Often, the anxiety we carry in divorce stems from anticipated worst-case scenarios. By grounding yourself in the present and maintaining a disciplined approach to self-care, you prevent unnecessary suffering.

🔹 Ask yourself: Am I prioritizing my well-being, or am I neglecting myself in the stress of divorce?

Reframing Divorce as an Opportunity for Prosperity

Divorce is not just an end—it is also an opportunity to reclaim these prosperity assets. Unlike financial assets, which may be divided, your time, energy, and health belong to you alone. When you focus on protecting and rebuilding these key resources, you create a strong foundation for your next chapter.

🔹 Stoic Perspective: The Stoics believed in embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” (Marcus Aurelius). Your divorce, as painful as it may be, is also the catalyst for transformation. By mastering your mind and habits, you can emerge stronger and more prosperous than before.

Final Thought: The way you approach divorce determines whether you emerge depleted or empowered. Where are you investing your time, energy, and health? Choose wisely—because these prosperity assets are yours to keep.

Find out to incorporate prosperity planning alongside smart financial planning.

Steven Schleupner reflecting on his personal divorce journey and path to coaching.

Steve Schleupner specializes as a Divorce Transition Specialist, viewing divorce not just as an event but as a transformative life journey. His approach involves empowering clients to strategize for the long haul. Acting as a mediator, Steve presents various options aimed at reducing conflict and enhancing financial acumen, enabling clients to reach settlement agreements with clarity and assurance. Beyond the finalization of divorce decrees, he remains a steadfast guide, assisting clients in implementing their plans and adjusting them as circumstances evolve. With over two decades of financial planning expertise and seven years dedicated specifically to divorce coaching, Steve brings a wealth of knowledge to his practice. He holds certifications as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professional, a Certified Financial Planner® professional, and a Certified Divorce Coach® in addition to his mediation qualifications. Steve serves Central Maryland, Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, and beyond.