I'm leaving you.

It seems apparent with the start of every year that the term 'break-up' inevitable. Within the last 3 weeks I've heard of four couples going their seperate ways, with most cases shocking me just as much as the poor soul carrying the painful burden of the loss. 


The start of 2011 was no different, although the realisation hit home far more personally last year as many of my close friends (myself included) were kicked to the kerb. Some splits were temporary, some were concrete. But the reasons why this happens in January seem a little hazy. We know the first month of a new year can be blue as a result of a continuation of unplesant dreary weather, a lack of cash, a post Christmas hangover and a trip back to normality with a thud, but surely this would be the best time to ride the storm toward greener pastures alongside someone you love?

In a discussion with a friend the other day, we got to chatting about two (probably useless!) theories that may constitute the reasons for many a new years split...

Not wanting to hurt someone over Christmas, postponing a break-up until the New Year so one can enjoy the holidays. No one wants to be seen as a destroyer of Christmas cheer, or feel comfortable knowing that they are being discussed with pure hatred over the turkey and stuffing at the family dinner table. Couple's problems may be ignored during the festive season as Christmas is a time for good moods and it's nice to share it with someone, whether it's a boyfriend, girlfriend, family and friends. 


A New Year means new beginnings and what better time to start afresh on a new path of discovery than the first day of a new year? Everyone loves the (worn out) comedy gold on New Year's day that is a myriad of 'Sure that was last year!' jokes. The ones where you proclaim that you haven't had a cigarette/cocktail/sausage roll since last year, knowing well it was probably less than 24 hours since you enjoyed a multitude of such things but since ringing in a New Year, cracking these jokes is almost a right of passage and makes you chuffed with yourself all the same. This could be the case with couples. Maybe the idea of leaving someone or a relationship behind in a year that's done and dusted might be as a result of new years resolutions. A time for change, a time for reflection, a time to realise what is or isn't working.

Break-ups are undoubtedly painful, but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel that if a person can see the positives of a split occuring at the beginning of the year. They can also start afresh knowing that they have a whole brand new year ahead of them to pursue new hobbies and go anywhere or do anything they want, without having to always consider the needs of another.

 ♥ ♥ ♥