Over the past month or so, I've had 3 separate conversations with friends of mine who are all in their 40s, married and miserable.
"Do you ever feel like you just wouldn't be that sad if the relationship ended?"
"I can think of nothing better than having my own house with my own stuff and no-one to have to share anything with anyone."
"Why are they (husbands) so infuriating? I'm getting nothing out of this anymore."
Of course, many people vent about their relationships with trusted friends. It's a natural and healthy way to process and get support for things going on inside our relationships.
But there's a theme emerging in my friendship circle that goes beyond the usual whinge fest about our partners. My friends are genuinely miserable and unfulfilled, and it's unsettling.
As someone who is divorced and in their 40s, I'm a huge advocate of the single life. It's liberating to no longer have to compromise with another adult and, when your children are grown or not around, your time is genuinely your own.
This alone isn't really reason enough to blow up and family and get divorced, but some of my friends are genuinely miserable. They aren't being treated well and are struggling with carrying the emotional load of trying to revive the relationship. Yet, they flat-out reject the idea of a different life (without their partner).
So, what's holding them back? Why do they refuse to consider the alternative? Well, I asked. And here's a summary of what they said.
Watch: The Split Podcast. Post continues below.
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