The last 100 days has certainly put unwanted stress and strain on relationships and, unsurprisingly, this has produced more breakdowns than ever before.
Just imagine being locked down with a person you can’t stand being with. If you are lucky then the heavy silences between you and your soon-to-be-ex may be your only torment, but if you are unlucky the break-up of a relationship may turn aggressive or downright dangerous.
Even at the best of times a split can herald acute emotional upheaval but we can seek some respite by visiting our family and friends, getting involved with events or going to the gym. Being locked in with your ex is however, at best, awkward and, at worst, a living hell.
The UK property sales market is now starting to come to life which will allow some ex-couples to plan their separate ways but the rental market seems to be taking advantage of the surge of unhappy people who urgently want to escape their cramped and difficult living arrangements.
Some landlords have seen in this exodus an opportunity to tickle up their rental income. The result is that not only are some people struggling to earn money, they are struggling to cope with a relationship break up and now struggling to find an affordable place to live.
My sympathy goes out to all those who are struggling.
I am not a big fan of US newspapers but I have read an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times.
It’s full of worldly wisdom about why couples break up during a prolonged confinement or lockdown – and well worth reading even if you are lucky enough to be in a rock solid relationship.
Mark Groves CEO