A Practical Guide to Protecting Yourself, Your Children & Your Money—Without Spiralling into Overwhelm

Let’s be real—no one dreams of finding themselves here.

You didn’t plan this. You didn’t picture Googling “what to do when your marriage ends” with mascara running down your face and a half-eaten piece of toast on the bench you forgot about (again).

But now that you're here?
Let’s skip the sugar-coating and get to what actually matters: what do you do next—when your relationship ends but life keeps moving anyway?

The silence.
The shock.
The sinking feeling that everything’s suddenly divided—including your bank account, your energy, your children, your time, and maybe your sense of self.

Your brain is foggy. Your heart is racing.
And the questions come thick and fast:

• What do I do first?

• Who do I call?

• Am I about to make a massive mistake that’ll cost me later?

The good news:

You’ve already done something brave.
You’re not hiding under the doona with Netflix and a bottle of Pinot (at least not full-time).
You’re here—looking for clarity instead of staying stuck. And that matters.

You don’t need to have it all figured out.
But you do need a handful of smart, grounded, real first steps to help you protect your peace, your kids, and your future.

Let’s start there.

I didn’t know what I didn’t know… until it was almost too late

I wish I could tell you I was cool, calm and carried a clipboard into my first lawyer meeting.
Nope.

I showed up with a sleeping 4-month-old, an empty notepad, and a stomach full of dread. I had no game plan—just a nappy bag full of wipes and worry.

No plan.
No documentation.
Not even a sense of what questions I was supposed to ask.

I was underprepared, overwhelmed, and unknowingly exposing myself to emotional burnout and financial risk.

If there was a wrong way to do separation admin, I found it.

But that rock-bottom moment?

It became the spark behind everything I now share with women like you.

So let me hand you the shortcut I never had—starting with the steps that actually matter in week one.

First: The First 24–48 Hours

(Breathe. You’ve got this.)

Before you spiral into panic-Googling or screenshotting cryptic memes, I want you to focus on just three things.

1. Tell someone safe

Not your ex’s sister. Not your barista. Not your Instagram feed.
Tell someone who will hold space for you without feeding the drama. A best friend, your mum, a therapist, your yoga teacher—whoever helps you feel anchored in the storm.

2. Lock down your tech

iCloud sharing? Off.
Location sharing? Nope.
Passwords? Changed.
If it feels slightly over-the-top, it probably means you’re doing it right.

3. Start writing things down

Even if your brain is mush.
Even if your hands are shaking.
Your future self will be endlessly grateful for that Word doc, journal, or scribbled note that captured the who/what/where of this moment in time. Facts only. No novel-writing necessary.

✨ P.S. I teach a full documenting strategy in my Divorce Documenting Masterclass—but if you’re new here, start with the First Steps Bundle. It’s got everything you need to begin safely and confidently.

Then: Your First Smart Moves

You don’t need to tick off a full legal checklist today.
(That’s what my Divorce First Steps Bundle is for.)
But you do need to begin showing up for yourself like you matter. Because you do.

Here are a few not-so-obvious things that most women don’t know to do—until it bites back hard later:

• Create a new email for all legal or sensitive communication

• Set up a personal bank account and redirect your income

• Snapshot your assets and debts (even a rough list helps)

• Be very careful what you say over text, email, or social media

• Let your child’s school know what’s going on—quietly and clearly

• Start documenting everything. Yes, everything.

Also: Start exploring your legal support options

Not everyone wants (or needs) a lawyer. You might choose mediation, collaborative law, or even a DIY filing option online. The important thing is to understand what’s available and what fits your situation.

Take a little time to research your options—ask questions, read reviews, and jot down a few names or services that feel aligned with how you want to approach this next chapter.

✨ And if you're not sure what to ask? I’ve included a 32-question checklist in the $24 Divorce First Steps Bundle to help you confidently interview lawyers, mediators, or any professional guiding your separation.

These aren’t acts of fear.
They’re acts of wisdom. And they’ll help you feel a little more steady, even when everything else feels wobbly.

Why I’m Not Giving You the Whole List Here

Because you deserve more than a blog post.

You deserve a clear, beautifully laid-out, no-fluff guide written by someone who’s already made all the mistakes (so you don’t have to).

That’s exactly why I created:
👉 The 10 First Steps in Divorce [Free Download]

Inside, you’ll find:

• Vital steps for the first 24 hours—when your brain’s in a fog and decisions feel impossible

• 10 powerful ways to start protecting your finances from the get-go

• First moves to protect your children’s wellbeing (emotionally and legally)

• A 10-Step Self-Care Checklist—because you do matter in all this, too

✨ Click here to grab the FREE guide

Want to go deeper? The $24 Divorce First Steps Bundle is your next move.

If the freebie is the survival kit, the bundle is your whole dang playbook.
It’s the calm-in-a-crisis, call-in-your-power, stay-ahead-of-the-chaos toolkit I wish I’d had.

You’ll get:

• A 10-Point Plan to protect your money and assets—before any paperwork is filed

• Word-for-word scripts to help you stay calm in tough convos with your ex

• 32 Must-Ask Questions to help you choose the right lawyer (and avoid costly regrets)

• The Social Media Playbook—what to do, what not to post, and why it matters

• A 6-Step Trigger Diffuser to help you regulate when emotions hijack your logic

• 4 Emotional Boundaries to protect your peace, even around chaos

• Must-Do Organisation Tips to feel in control (even if everything’s messy)

• A 12-Minute Morning Meditation to start each day grounded and clear

And yes—it's just $24. ($297 of Value)
Because protecting your future shouldn’t require draining your present.

Final Word: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Separation is a storm, no doubt. But storms don’t last forever.

With the right first steps?
You can come out of this not just standing—but stronger. Wiser. Braver. More you than ever.

You don’t need all the answers.
You just need a place to start.

📥 Grab your FREE guide now → 10 First Steps in Divorce

You’ve already done the hardest part: acknowledging the truth.
Let’s get you the tools, support, and steady next steps to move forward—with clarity and courage.

With love,
xx Annie
Founder | Hello Mojo