After fifty…your guide to safely crossing over from the shock of separation to independence

“Midlife divorce” (also known as gray divorce) is a very complex human experience, in which emotional transitions intersect with the desire to break free from monotony. In the period extending between the late forties and early sixties, many couples find themselves faced with existential questions that push them to end decades-long marriages in search of new personal growth.

Why does stability suddenly collapse?

An investigation by the British newspaper “The Independent” (late 2025) revealed that this type of divorce does not often occur due to sharp and sudden disagreements, but rather as a result of a “gradual slide” towards apathy and routine. Factors such as “silent separation” and the dominance of family duties at the expense of intimacy play a pivotal role in eroding the relationship.

Lisa Caldwell, founder of Sass for Women, points out that the “midlife crisis” is the hidden driver of this collapse. Where the individual suddenly realizes that he has passed half his life without sufficient awareness of his choices, which generates an overwhelming desire for change.

In numbers: The rise of ‘gray divorce’

-109%: The rate of increase in divorce among adults over the age of fifty (according to the Pew Research Center).
-13.3%: Percentage of women who report experiencing a midlife crisis between the ages of 38 and 50.

A roadmap to recovery and transition

Expert Lisa Caldwell suggests 9 basic steps for women (and men) to face this stage and turn it into a balanced start:

1. Building a support network: Using a social, legal, and physical environment that raises morale and provides safety.
2. Last attempt: Explore the possibility of reconciliation with your partner; Failure on the last attempt provides reassurance later that you did everything you could.
3. Legal and financial preparedness: Document documents and keep safe copies to avoid stress during property division.
4. Financial independence: Start opening separate bank accounts to enhance the sense of control and security.
5. Career development: Re-evaluate your job situation, update your CV, or learn new skills to ensure financial stability.
6. Amicable settlement: The preference for specialized mediators to resolve disputes away from long court conflicts.
7. Protecting children: Sparing children (no matter their age) the burdens of disputes, and being honest with them about the continued role of parents.
8. Investing in health: Commitment to physical activity and healthy eating; A healthy body is the first support in the face of psychological pressures.
9. Accepting new beginnings: Believing that divorce, despite its pain, may be the beginning of building a more honest life and deeper social relationships.

(Al Jazeera)