How to Create a Divorce Registry on The Restart (Step‑by‑Step Guide)
Creating a divorce registry on The Restart takes about five minutes. This guide walks you through the setup process — and answers the bigger question everyone gets stuck on: what should you actually put on a divorce registry?
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to The Restart and create a free account. All you need is an email and a password. No credit card. No subscription. No commitment.
Step 2: Start Your Divorce Registry
From your dashboard, click Start a Registry.
You’ll be asked to add:
- A name (your name, “My ReStart,” “Alex’s Registry,” etc.)
- A description (optional but let people know your story, what you need and how they can help)
- An optional photo
Descriptions that work well:
- “Starting over after 12 years and rebuilding my home from scratch.”
- “New apartment, new chapter.”
- “Replacing the things we split — building a space that feels like mine.”
This context helps friends and family understand what you’re navigating.
Step 3: Add Items to Your Registry
This is where your registry comes to life.
From any online retailer — Amazon, Target, Wayfair, Crate & Barrel, or anywhere you shop — copy the product URL and paste it into your registry. The Restart automatically pulls in:
- Product name
- Image
- Price
You can also:
- Add a quantity
- Include an optional note (e.g., “Finally replacing the coffee maker we fought over.”)
There’s no store restriction. Mix and match items from any retailer you want.
Step 4: Choose Your Privacy Settings
Your divorce registry is private by default. Only people with your direct link can view it.
If you want it to be discoverable on the Find a Registry page — helpful for extended family, coworkers, or community support — you can switch it to public in your settings.
Both options work. It just depends on how widely you want to share.
What to Put on a Divorce Registry (Realistic Ideas That Actually Help)
This is the part most people struggle with. Start by thinking about what you lost, what you left behind, or what you never owned on your own. Then fill in the gaps.
Kitchen Essentials
These disappear fast in a split.
- Skillet or frying pan
- Saucepan or pasta pot
- Baking sheet
- Coffee maker
- Mixing bowls
- Cutting board
- A couple of good knives
- Plates, bowls, and a mug you actually like
Bedroom + Bathroom Basics
Rebuilding comfort matters.
- Sheets
- Duvet or comforter
- Pillows
- Towels
- Bed frame (if you’re on a mattress on the floor)
- Nightstand lamp
Living Room Foundations
Make your space feel like your space.
- Couch or armchair
- Rug
- Floor or table lamp
- Throw blanket
- Small décor that makes the room feel lived‑in
Practical Household Items
The unglamorous things you notice immediately when they’re gone.
- Vacuum
- Iron
- Laundry hamper
- Toolset
- Step stool
- Basic cleaning supplies
Things Just for You
This is the category people skip — and shouldn’t.
- A book you’ve wanted to read
- Yoga mat or workout gear
- A kitchen gadget you always loved
- Self‑care items
- A hobby starter kit
Your divorce registry doesn’t have to be purely functional. It can also reflect who you’re becoming.
There’s No “Right Way” to Build a Divorce Registry
There’s no rulebook for starting over after divorce — and that’s exactly why a divorce registry exists. Build the list that reflects your real needs, your real life, and the home you’re creating now.
When you’re ready, share your registry with the people you trust and let them support you.
You can edit your registry anytime: add items, remove them, reorder them. It’s yours.