Yes, divorce is painful. It's no more fun than running down the street in front of a speeding bus and hoping you can make it to safety before you get plowed down. No matter how you look at it, divorce is a complicated, painful, agonizing process...but what is stopping you from having a little fun as a divorced woman?

When you give yourself permission to let loose and do something unconventional or out of character for yourself, you just may find that there are some aspects of being a single woman that aren't all that bad.

1: Do something drastic with your hair

Did your husband insist that you were only attractive with long hair? You don't have to listen to him anymore, so cut it all off and see how amazing you are with a short do!

Have you always kept your hair short because it was how your man liked you best? Give yourself a bold new color and start growing it down to your butt. Better yet, head to the stylist and get some extensions for an instantly glam look!

Your look should express your personality and where you are currently at in your life. Spend some time relaxing with your eyes closed, imagining yourself at the best moment of your life. Use that image of the successful, happy you to come up with a bold new style that YOU will love.

2: Spend a weekend (or week?) at the most expensive spa you can find

You deserve some pampering because it will take the load off so you feel less stressed. A day or two at the spa will energize your body and make you feel sexy, alive, and strong.

Most women forget to take care of themselves when they are going through a divorce. The stress and emotional pain drags them down and they stop doing the things they usually did to impress their husband.

This is the time to take care of yourself so you can simply impress you! Don't let the stress get you down, but find ways to lift your mood and remind yourself that you are an amazing woman. What better way to do that than with a relaxing visit to the spa where you can forget the divorce and just bond with yourself?

3: Gather up the kids or the girls and head across country

Don't hole up in your house because you don't want to run into your ex or hear everyone asking where he is or how you are both doing. Just pack up with your children or perhaps with your best friends and take off for a trip. Plan something fun and relaxing and pick a weekend or week when you can forget about your problems and just enjoy yourself.

It's difficult to do things like this because you may feel guilty about spending the money, or, even just for smiling and having fun when you should be crying. You will just have to put those emotions aside and for once go enjoy yourself!

One of the great things about being a single woman is you aren't held to the expectations or approval of someone else. If you want to get away for a weekend and take the kids to the beach, do it. If you wan to cut off all your hair and feel the wind blow on the back of your neck, do it!

© Vanaja Ghose 2010