Hello!
The holiday season has ended, the New Year has begun, and for many couples, this transition seems to signal the time for breakups.
Don't worry, this isn't a new obligation for all couples to part ways in January, but there's definitely a noticeable trend towards more divorces and separations at the start of the year.
Data reveals a spike around searches for 'divorce' in January
Statistics show a surge in relationship endings. According to USA Today, in 2018, there was a notable peak in Google searches for 'divorce' from January 6 to January 12.
Additionally, Swasti Sarna from Pinterest noted an increase of 21% in searches for 'divorce party' in January 2019 compared to the preceding month.
Moreover, a University of Washington study examining divorce filings from 2001 to 2015 in Washington state found that there's a consistent uptick in divorce paperwork filed right at the beginning of January.
So, the key question remains: what is it about January that prompts people to seek singlehood?
The December Effect
While the holiday season is often depicted as a time of joy and cheer, it can also be a period of stress and strain, especially with family gatherings and the financial burden of gifts and feasts.
Vacations from work might mean more time together for couples, which sounds ideal, but not so much if the relationship is already shaky.
Jacob Lucas, a dating coach from England, shared with The Independent: "Many in relationships who aren't with the right partner often use their careers, social circles, as a way to escape their relationship issues, as they're fundamentally unhappy.
"During the Christmas holidays, when individuals are around their families, they're compelled to spend more time together without these escapes. This can lead to friction with nowhere to turn."
Lucas added: "Tensions accumulate until they reach a boiling point, like a pressure cooker... And typically, it's in early January when breakups occur, as the usual escapes are gone and people are still adjusting back to normal life."
New Year, New Beginnings
Dr. Karen Phillip, a psychotherapist, has discussed how the arrival of the new year can motivate individuals to alter their personal circumstances. She told The Carousel: "We look back on the past year, evaluate our achievements, reassess our objectives, and consider our emotions regarding past events. If we're left feeling angry, upset, or disappointed without seeing a way to resolve these feelings, we might choose to leave.
"You don't want to carry the weight of stress or persistent pressure, or to constantly ride the emotional rollercoaster of a relationship - what you crave is a sense of freedom."
Underlying Problems
If your relationship is solid, you're unlikely to suddenly end it in January. However, experts suggest that the 'new year, new start' mindset typically amplifies existing problems in a relationship.
Alberta Tevie, a consultant solicitor at Richard Nelson, explained to MailOnline: "When there are already troubles, the added stress of orchestrating a perfect Christmas, combined with financial strain, can often push couples over the edge, making the holiday period the breaking point...
"Couples might hold on during Christmas, perhaps for the sake of their kids or family, but the strain often leads to the relationship fraying soon after."
This isn't to imply that breakups are exclusive to January; they occur year-round, but if tensions begin during the festive season, it might well signal the start of a relationship's decline.
Thank you!
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