No one ever plans for a bankruptcy; it is just something that happens thanks to a series of bad events in your life.
Maybe you lost a job or your spouse went through a serious illness.
Or, maybe like many people, a nasty divorce left you with no other alternative.
Whatever your reason, the minute you get your bankruptcy discharge, it is critical that you set your sights on the future.
The only way that the bankruptcy will define you is if you fail to set your sights on rebuilding your life after bankruptcy.
Life after Bankruptcy The first thing you need to do is let go of any guilt.
This can be particularly hard if you owed a business prior to your bankruptcy and defaults on loans with vendors whom you knew personally.
The reality is that thanks to the new bankruptcy laws, the only way you were even allowed to file was if there really wasn't a way for you to pay back your obligations.
If you had sufficient income, you would have been required to file a Chapter 13 and pay back a large portion of your obligation.
Your guilt isn't doing anyone any good.
Letting go is the first step in moving on.
If you are fortunate enough to recover, you can always go back and pay those who really mattered to you.
Setting New Goals Instead of looking back and dwelling on all that was lost, you need to take the time to set some new goals.
Maybe you want to go back to college or start a new business.
Perhaps it is time for you to finally focus on your health and get into the shape you always dreamed of.
Maybe you even want to change careers.
Whatever your desires, focusing on future success is far more protective than looking back.
Set some goals and achieve them.
It will be great for you to remember what success feels like! Dealing with Your Financial Issues While money and credit may be the last things you want to think about, you need to reestablish your credit as soon as you possibly can.
You should start with a secured credit card.
A loan taken against a certificate of deposit with your bank is also a great way to reestablish yourself.
Once you have shown the ability to pay on time for six months, you should start to be able to qualify for small unsecured accounts like store cards and gas cards.
Just be careful - you want to show an ability to pay on time but you don't want to get in over your head!