I was talking with a friend of mine today, and she was telling me about a girlfriend who recently split up with her husband. The girlfriend was feeling a lot of uncertainty and angst about when she should remove her wedding ring. My friend advised her to wait until it felt ready, but not to rush it, and then mark the moment with some type of simple ceremony (like maybe the friend treating herself to a nice dinner, or reading a poem or quote she finds soothing or something). I thought that was good advice.
Our conversation got me to thinking how other people handle this situation. If you are newly single, or even not-so-newly single, when did you take off your ring? It seems like a very difficult decision and action for so many, probably because it is so symbolic of the marriage itself. After all, it's called a "wedding" ring--not just a "ring." Did you mark the occasion in any way when you did it? Maybe if you are widowed, you are still wearing it? I could see where a divorce might lead to the ring coming off faster than if your spouse passed away.
I would be curious to read your stories if you are comfortable sharing them, and maybe my friend could find more suggestions for her girlfriend too.