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Joe Giudice Posts an Empowering Message Following Reports of Separation from Teresa
The Real Housewives of New Jersey husband is thinking about the "next level of your life."
Joe Giudice is looking toward the future.
Following reports that he and Teresa Giudice have separated after 20 years of marriage, Joe posted an empowering message on Instagram on December 18. "Every next level of your life will demand a different you," read the post, which also featured a black-and-white photo of what appears to be someone walking up a mountain. The post was also liked by Teresa.
The post comes shortly after reports that Teresa and Joe "have been separated," a source close to the Giudice family recently told PEOPLE. “They discussed their future when Teresa and the girls went to Italy in early November and they agreed that each had to move on. They are doing so amicably and very slowly,” the source said.
“Joe has been out on a few dates, Teresa has not. She has been too busy with the girls, with work obligations and taking care of her father. She is happy for Joe. They have been very friendly with one another and are very supportive of each other’s happiness. They still love one another, but as Teresa told Andy Cohen on the WWHL special, they are separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Neither is interested in a long distance relationship," they added.
Neither Teresa nor Joe has commented on the reports of their separation yet.
The source also told PEOPLE that Teresa and Joe "are focused" on their four daughters, Gia, 18, Gabriella, 15, Milania, 13, and Audriana, 10, right now, and “there are no plans for divorce."
Teresa and Joe's children are slated to visit their father in Italy, where he has been awaiting a final decision in his ongoing deportation case since he was released from ICE custody in October, for Christmas. However, Teresa will be staying home with her father, Giacinto Gorga.
Joe's Instagram previously grabbed some attention when, on December 14, he posted a message about letting go of the past and moving on. "Life is too short to be angry. Life is too short to be resentful. Life is too short to hold on to the past. Life is too short not to love. Life is too short not to be happy. Life is too short not to forgive. Life is too short not to live our lives the way we want it," the message read. "Love life. Appreciate the people in it. Enjoy the present. Seize the moment. Life is worth living for, so let's LIVE!"
Teresa agreed with Joe's message, writing "very true" in the comments.
Teresa has been open about her decision to not continue her relationship with Joe if he is ultimately deported to Italy. "We're both two different people now. I don't know, I'm not the same Teresa I was, and I know he's not the same Joe," Teresa said during the couple's interview with Andy in October. "Like I told him, no matter what, I always want us to respect each other and I do love him as a person."
Joe also said during that interview that he will respect Teresa's decision no matter what. "Listen, as long as she's happy, that's all that really matters. I'm not gonna tell her what to do," he shared. "If she doesn't feel like she doesn't want to be with me anymore, then that's the thing to do."
Teresa shares an update on how their daughters are dealing with Joe's deportation case in The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 10 After Show, above.
The next episode of RHONJ on December 18 at 8/7c will be an emotional one for the Giudice family. Watch a preview, below.
