This is a great question!
I think my divorce made me stronger. When I was 17 I went from my mom's house to college - and shortly thereafter I moved in with a guy. I then married him at 18-and-a-month. So I was never really on my own. I was always with someone else. When we got divorced, I was suddenly living on my own, raising my son, with no support system. It was a great challenge, and it helped me become much more strong.
I definitely think that I should have spent time living on my own, looking back at everything. I think that's an important part of learning how to take care of yourself and therefore how to take care of others.
