New year, newly single.
January often sees a rise in breakups, with the first working Monday of the year being dubbed “Divorce Day.”
Many couples see the holiday season as the last straw for their relationship, and they tend to wait until the new year to avoid a messy holiday breakup, making January the most difficult month for couples.
The month has even earned the title of “Divorce Month” in legal circles.
“It is absolutely true that the first month of the year, and in particular the first half of it, is the highest for either new clients or divorce filings,” attorney Laura Wasser, who has represented multiple celebrities in their divorces, told USA Today in 2019. “Definitely that first week back (after the holidays) is always very busy.”
A 2016 study from the University of Washington found that in the state of Washington, divorce filings from 2001 to 2015 saw increased filings in January compared to December.
Additionally, a 2020 study from Richard Nelson compiled ahead of Divorce Day found that searches such as “DIY divorce,” “quickie divorce” and “divorce my partner” rose by over 100% during the new year. Inquiries for divorce lawyers also increased by 30% in January.
“Where problems already exist, with the stress of creating the perfect Christmas and the money troubles which often accompany this, many couples often see the Christmas period as the final straw in their relationship,” Alberta Tevie, consultant solicitor at Richard Nelson, told the Daily Mail.
“The stress of spending time with relatives, cooking an elaborate meal and the giving and receiving of presents can be overwhelming for some people,” she added. “They hang on for the Christmas period, often for the sake of their children and family, but the threads of their relationship unravel shortly after.”
“The reason this occurs is we may have tolerated our partner, their behavior, family or friends, and once the end of the year is upon us we reassess what the year has been like and often make a conscious decision to start the new year fresh,” psychotherapist Dr. Karen Phillip explained to The Carousel.
She shared that while people start to think about their goals for the next year and reflect on the year that was, they might find that they feel angry, upset or disappointed in their relationship and want to get rid of the burden in the new year.
“People are thinking about New Year’s resolutions this time of year and how they can improve their lives. Sometimes the best improvement you can make is setting yourself free from the restraints you have been experiencing,” Phillip, author of “OMG We’re Getting Married – 7 Essential Things To Know Before We Say I Do” said.
To navigate the complex emotions of a January divorce, it’s important to allow yourself to feel your emotions and give yourself time to grieve, a psychologist wrote for Forbes.
Since divorce is an “emotionally charged” life event, it’s also advised not to make any major life changes during it.
Additionally, if you have children, be sure to prioritize your child’s well-being and implement routines and a co-parenting strategy to help them adjust to a changing environment.
