Do people really leave marriages without a third person on the horizon?

[Beelips]

That really...
I’ve read a few threads here in the past where people are considering affairs as they are in a dying (usually long term) marriage and the consensus (rightly so) seems to be to leave the relationship before even considering on embarking on something inappropriate outside of the marriage.
I’ve thought about it recently and thought if in the real world it really happens that way? Let’s say, a long marriage, children, fairly settled with no major dramas, no abuse, fairly good friendship but no intimacy, that part of the relationship gone for a long time and not salvageable. I get that the answer at this point is leave before anyone gets hurt if you think you may want to vent your desires elsewhere at some point. But my question is - does this really happen??! In the real world? I.e. Do you know anyone PERSONALLY who genuinely left such long “secure” (in many ways) relationship without that catalyst of a third person? Who rocks theirs and above all their children’s world without having feelings elsewhere so that they can have a clean honest break? I’d love to read real life stories? I personally don’t know anyone 😕 (not counting people in abusive relationships or where partner is an unsupportive arse etc).

I left a 25 year marriage. Still single 3 years later

I left because of him. He could not get his head around the fact there was no-one else and that I had left because of just him.

I divorced my arsehole ex husband without a partner lined up. Going through an abusive relationship doesn’t really make one inclined to fall into another relationship very quickly. I can’t believe anyone would find this a difficult concept.

Hmm I wasn't married but I left my long term partner of 13 years after years of shitty behaviour from him. I didn't love him and we lived separate lives in the end, no sex although he thought he loved me egg and I felt the same.
I developed strong feelings for some one else at work who was long term single and we also had a shared hobby..he was totally and utterly oblivious to my feelings, I told one person.

It wasn't the main reason I left ex but it made me evaluate my whole life actually and one last abusive act from him made me snap and I kicked him out.

Three months later (Yes I know too soon) I went out with my crush..we're still together and has amazing.

So I don't know..did I leave the ex for someone else..hmm

@ TheFaerieQueene
Nope - leaving an abusive relationship is not a difficult concept to grasp. Nobody said it was?? 🤔 The scenario discussed is: a non abusive long term relationship that’s just burnt out...
Sorry you went though a difficult marriage.

I've really only known 1 person do this who meets all your criteria: my father. He left my mother after nearly 20 years of marriage. No other woman involved.

For the ones I know, there's usually another person, although not always a new relationship. It can be a crush who makes one partner realise they want more from life.

Separated 18 months ago after 14 years and 3 DC together. Nobody else involved, we're both still single, we get along fine for the most part, we just grew apart and couldn't be together anymore.