Jen Lawrence is a CDC Certified Divorce Coach® and CDC Divorce Transition and Recovery Coach™ who helps her clients navigate divorce with their wealth and sanity intact. She’s also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and former banker and helps women get smart about their money. As the co-author of Engage the Fox, Jen is an expert in critical thinking and helps her clients make good decisions throughout the divorce process.

Jen has written about divorce, overcoming money problems, high conflict people, happiness, and mental health. She’s been featured in HuffPost, Thrive Global, Authority Magazine, and many other publications. She’s also appeared on The Mom Show, Report on Business TV, See Hear Love, and TVO Parents. 

1. What is your backstory? What do you do for a living? 

I’m a Divorce Coach and help my clients protect their wealth and their mental well-being during an emotional time. I have a background in banking and consulting and am twice-divorced. During my second divorce, I realized how much easier it was than the first one because I knew what I was doing and all of the traps to avoid. I decided to become a Divorce Coach to help women going through the process and got all of my Divorce Coaching certifications. COVID-19 has not been kind to marriages so it’s a very busy time. 

2. How did you start your remote work journey?  

After my first divorce, I needed to find something to do as a single mom with young children so I started to freelance write and do some consulting. Now that my children are older, I’d been planning to launch my coaching practice with an office but COVID had other plans. Now I coach entirely over Zoom and I’d never go back to working out of an office. I’m able to serve clients from all over the world, save rent costs, and have more balance in my life. 

3. What have you learned working from home? 

 I’ve learned that I miss the social aspect of work and the fashion. I’m actually grateful for video calls since they force me to put in some effort. When I’m dressed well and have my hair done, I feel like I up my coaching game. Or maybe that’s just my excuse to do some shopping! 

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4. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every part of the economy and our daily lives. What challenges have you encountered both personally and professionally? How have you weathered these challenges?

I finalized my second divorce negotiations during the pandemic so I know first-hand what that’s like. Market and job instability complicate an already complicated situation. Through COVID, I’ve also had to learn a new way to network. Gone are the days of showing up for a breakfast meeting and handing out a stack of business cards. Needless to say, I spend a lot of time on Zoom!

5. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an increased sense of fear, depression, and isolation. How have you been able to get through pandemic-related anxiety and stress issues?

I’ve always been prone to anxiety and depression so honestly, for me, COVID has not been a huge change. I’ve made sure I am really disciplined around self-care. I converted a space in my house into a yoga studio since regular classes are not happening. I also keep healthy food in the house since, working from home, there is a temptation to snack all day. Sleep is also a big thing for me and as an entrepreneur it’s easy to work into the night. I give myself a hard stop of 10pm for my work so I can read part of a novel before bed and get a good night’s sleep. 

 6. What are your best mental health tips?

In addition to eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep, I recommend getting off social media if you are feeling down. A lot of people going through divorce find Facebook and Instagram really depressing as they see happy-looking families in their feed. Get off social media for a while and go take a walk or cook something healthy or phone a friend. I’m also a big fan of gratitude journals. They really do train your brain to see the good in life. 

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7. Before the pandemic hit, you may have worked in an office or corporate setting, but what do you foresee happening now? How do you see companies allowing employees to work? 

I think there will be a huge switch to remote working. My daughter injured her hand and needed to see a doctor over the weekend and we did it over video chat. She had an appointment and the doctor sent a prescription to our local pharmacy in about 5 minutes. This saved us hours at a walk-in clinic where we might have been exposed to heaven knows what. It really seems the way of the future. Everyone I know who works in an office is dreading a return to commuting and endless in-person meetings. I think that companies will be challenged to create the synergies that come with the in-office experience without exhausting their employees. 

 8. Do you believe that remote work is the future? 

I absolutely do. I think that high touch jobs like hairdresser and surgeon will continue to be in person but so many things can be done online. The trick is to ensure that the people who need the social interaction get it in other ways. Ever since I’ve started working from home, I talk to the ear of the grocery clerks since I’m really happy to see another person. 

9. How do you think COVID will shape the future of business? 

I think that people will really value experiences when we get to have them again. I know that I will never again question the price of a plane ticket!! 

10. How can readers get in touch with you?

My website is designeddivorce.com. I’m also on Instagram and Pinterest @designeddivorce. I offer a free consultation call to anyone wondering how a Divorce Coach can make their divorce less painful. 

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