Two years ago, Madeleine West hit ‘Restart’ on her life. She packed up her life in Melbourne and moved to Byron Bay, split up with her partner of 15 years and the father of her six kids and she started life again.  During this honest chat, Madeleine opens up about how she divorced her husband when the world was watching, why remembering the love-story can help the ending, and that it’s never too late to change everything. It was a love story that started with houses, children, enterprises, and dreams, and at some point, became utterly unstuck. When Madeleine's 16 year relationship ended, she decided to repurpose her love into an ending that needed care, consideration and respect.  Achieving a ‘happy separation’, through a ‘consciously uncoupling’ process required Madeleine to dig deep into the existing compassion she had for her children's father if she was going to remain remotely unscathed. There’s no mistaking, divoce is a horrible and horrendous experience. The loss of self-control and direction, with no firm guide, leads many down a rocky path. Taboo topics need to be shared, and stories need to be told. If we get up close and personal with our fears, and the stigmas surrounding separation, we invite self-respect into our lives. We offer respect to our previous partners, our children and ignite a sense of hope, that we can all move through this together.   Now, Madeleine is (re)discovering her new identity.  These steps have been taken before you, so listen (read) up! What are your finances?  What do you need to live a life, to the one that you currently live?  What do I need to financially safe-guard my life?  I needed an honest assessment. So, ask yourself:  What am I going to do?  What is this going to cost me?  Does your legal team fully  understand your circumstances?  Does your legal team offer kindness and compassion? Do you need a therapist?  Do you need a retreat?  Do you need a glass of wine? Give yourself a chance at consciously uncoupling over a toxic divorce. Connect with Madeleine here -  Instagram Join our community of like-minded people @thedivorcehub on Instagram and Facebook and LinkedIn.  Executive Producer and Editor: Tiffany Richmond. You can contact Tiffany via her website and on Instagram @tiff__richmond.