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Jennie Garth on Peter Facinelli Divorce: “It’s the Putting Yourself Back Together That’s Really Important”

Jennie Garth at the 11th Annual Red Dress awards at Lincoln Center
Jennie Garth has opened up again about the aftermath of her divorce from Peter Facinelli: "It's important to let yourself fall apart"

Taking it day by day. Jennie Garth has had a tough road since ending her marriage to ex-husband Peter Facinelli back in June 2013, but the actress continues to open up about the breakup aftermath, and how she eventually picked herself up again.

Related: PHOTOS: 2013's biggest splits

“I think that for anybody that’s going through bad times in their life, it’s really important to let yourself just fall apart — it’s the putting yourself back together that’s really important,” Garth, 41, told Access Hollywood in a March 6 interview. 

“And [not] just being able to put yourself back together, but to pick up each piece of you and look at it and put it back the way you want it — and not just the way it went,” the Deep Thoughts From a Hollywood Blonde author continued. “You know, kind of re-put yourself back together in a new way — [that’s] a good goal.”

Related: PHOTOS: Jennie's life as a mom

After announcing their separation in March 2012, Garth and Facinelli, 38, finalized their divorce in June 2013 after 11 years of marriage. The Twilight Saga star also acknowledged how the split affected him during an appearance on Live! With Kelly in April 2012.

Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth
Peter Facinelli and Jennie Garth

“It’s very painful to break up with somebody, especially after you’ve been together for 17 years and have kids,” he said at the time. “She’ll always be in my life. I love her, we’re just going to have a different relationship.” (The pair are parents to daughters Luca, 16, Lola, 10, and Fiona, 7.)

Since then, the twosome have both stepped back into the dating game. “I have been dating, yeah,” Garth said to Access Hollywood. “I’ve had some great experiences with some really great men.” Garth recently split from boyfriend Michael Shimbo last November after several months of dating. She’s also been linked to photographer Noah Abrams and musician Jeremy Salken. Facinelli, meanwhile, has been dating actress Jaimie Alexander since November 2012.

Garth’s new book isn’t just about her past, but also her bright future. The actress writes about celebrating the great things in life, and how her three children have inspired her. Up next, the star will be reunited with her 90210 costar Tori Spelling for the ABC Family comedy Mystery Girls.

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