Covid 19 could be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Financial and emotional challenges are bound to take their toll on relationships. Individuals have either been furloughed, made redundant, are working from home, or completely out of work! Assets are losing value and austerity is taking a hold, the future is looking very uncertain. 

In addition to this, children are unable to attend school and are relying on their parents to home school, adding more pressure to the household. They are missing their friends and playing outdoors in their local parks. Everyone is affected by this huge burden on their social lives and the subsequent strain it places on intimate relationships. Anxiety levels are at their highest as families struggle to adjust to this ‘new’ way of living. 

A crisis will amplify who you are as a person and the values by which you live. Adapting to complete change is a lot to deal with, causing anxiety and stress levels to become unbearable. Couples have not experienced living in close quarters 24/7 before, the strain on their relationship has been overwhelming. It is difficult to know how to cope. Alcohol consumption is up, domestic abuse cases are on the increase, for some, this pandemic has given them the time to reflect and evaluate their lives, where they are and where they see the future.  

The crisis has re-affirmed what is important in life and divorce becomes an option. The question is once you have made the decision that your marriage is over, what to do next? For some it could be a case of coming to the agreement together and drawing up how they can divorce amicably and make plans to put the children’s needs first and remain a family unit. For others, this is not an option, their fragile relationship and lack of communication won’t allow them to do this and the fallout and arguments are going to have a direct effect on the mental health of all involved. If there are children involved the damage to them from living in this unhealthy environment is going to live with them into adulthood. The timing of divorce talks may need to take place once lockdown has been lifted. For some, the only answer is to put the discussion on hold and just try to get through it as best they can. 

Covid 19 has given people the time to think about how they want the future to look. Divorce is never easy, but if the long-term goal is to be happy and fulfilled to live your life to the full, it could be the key.