Divorce a new year a new direction

Divorce, Small Business Pressure, and Why January Pushes Relationships Off the Rails

Early January is widely known as Divorce Day, the time of year when enquiries about separation and divorce surge. After the intensity of Christmas and New Year, many couples—particularly those running small businesses—find that the cracks in their relationship become impossible to ignore.

For some, this is the moment where divorce becomes a serious consideration, not because the holidays caused the problems, but because they exposed them.

Divorce Day and the January Breaking Point

The festive season brings financial strain, long periods of time together, and heightened expectations. Spending on gifts, social commitments, and family obligations can magnify existing tensions, while close proximity often brings simmering resentments to the surface.

This is why Divorce Day in January has become such a recognised phenomenon. The new year encourages reflection—people assess their happiness, their boundaries, and whether their marriage still aligns with the life they want moving forward. January often brings clarity rather than conflict. People begin to notice the signs a marriage is ending—emotional distance, repeated unresolved arguments, or a sense that life is moving in different directions.

Small Business Stress and Marriage Breakdown

Running a small business adds a unique layer of pressure to any relationship. Cash flow worries, long hours, and emotional fatigue don’t disappear over Christmas—in fact, they often intensify.

Over time, this can contribute to marriage breakdown and divorce, particularly when one partner feels unsupported or when business stress dominates family life. January can be the point where exhaustion turns into clarity.

Couples soldier through Christmas and then then the relisation of another year ahead becomes a decision point

Financial Stress and what drives Divorce Decisions

Money is one of the most common drivers behind separation. December overspending, uneven income, or uncertainty about the year ahead can push couples into difficult conversations.

In many cases, financial stress and divorce are deeply connected. Small business owners may feel torn between protecting their business and maintaining their relationship—often at the cost of their own well-being.

When to Pause Before Filing for Divorce

“If somebody is feeling like they can’t do it any more, you should slow down the process, take a pause, and make sure you’re clear on what your core issues are,” she explains. “Christmas might have exacerbated those feelings.”

Understanding when to file for divorce versus when to pause can be critical. Some relationships can recover once pressure eases and communication improves, while others reveal deeper, long-standing issues that can no longer be ignored. For small business owners, these signs can feel especially confronting, as separation affects not just emotions but finances, time, and future plans.

What to do if you feel your heading down this track

Divorce rarely comes out of nowhere. Read the signs. More often, it’s the result of months or years of strain that finally reach a tipping point. January simply shines a light on what was already there.

Whether the path forward involves repair or separation, taking time to reflect, seek advice, and make informed decisions can prevent short-term emotion from shaping long-term outcomes.

If you are not the controller of monies in your relationship, it’s time to get acquainted with where you are at financially.

Sometimes going off the rails is the moment you realise a new track is needed.