Walk Away?

I did it. Years of misery just came to a peak. My home of 23 years was sold and walking away was the best thing I ever did. I was 46 at the time. I'm now 66 and happily remarried.

I've not been in your situation but I think I would walk away. I have a good friend who did saying "I can't be unhappy any longer" and she's a different person to the tense, desperate person she was. Broke, but happy.

So sorry that you are in a bad situation at the moment. I am the same as Coolgran65. I left a very bad marriage after 25years and moved into a rented flat. I am also remarried to a wonderful man and have a lovely home. It took me a long time but it was well worth it.

I walked away when I was 47. Best thing I ever did.

Thank you for your supportive comments. I know I shouldn't but I worry what will happen to my partner.

The added complication is that we are in business together and we live above the shop, so to speak. I worry about unintended consequences of my actions. I've wanted to sell up for years but my partner would not agree and now we find ourselves in a depressed market with no realistic chance of selling.

You don't say how long you've been in this relationship, or how old you and your partner are. Of course many people "walk away" as you rather romantically put it. Whether they are any any happier in their new circumstances is another thing.

I think anyone trying to counsel you would need a lot more information.

I don't think of it as romantic, more like desperate. I know that I might be swapping one set of problems with another.

The plus for me would be that I would see my GC (and their parents) more; I would have more freedom in general. The downside would be that I would not have any money - although I'm not materialistic and have never had a lot of cash but it's hard to visualise what my life would be like. I would probably have about £5000 but I'm sure that would soon go on moving expenses.

I'm in my 60s and in relatively good health. We've been together for 10 years but although we live together and work together, there has been no physical/intimate aspect to our relationship for a couple of years - we are able to have separate rooms. He had no children of his own but does have extended family but no friends and relies on me for any social activities outside the business and we do go on holidays together.

I've contemplated counselling but I'm not sure how to go about finding the right person.

I meant the phrasing. What's wrong with 'leaving'?

I think 'walk away' implies with a heavy heart - it's what I did after 25 years.

UnhappyBunny at some point in life you have to say to yourself 'do I want to live out my life like this?', you sound very unhappy and obviously aren't seeing nearly enough of your own kids and grands.

I am similar age to you and am trying to pack in lots of things that I've always said I'd do and haven't, including travelling alone (very scary to me) to see my newest grandson who lives abroad , I don't want him to grow up and not know me. Likewise your own grandchildren will be making plenty of memories spent with you if you can bring yourself to put you and yours first. You may be surprised how all the problems you can see coming will sort themselves out and of course you will be happier. So take the leap and make that decision to be happy..