First weekend of trial separation and how I feel

[Wheelio]

DH has moved out for a trial run. We shared DCs, half the weekend each.
I actually got some headspace from the DCs and it was amazing.
I remember a friend from years ago going from a single mum of 1 to a married Mum of 3 and she told me how much she longed for the days when she was a single Mum. The head space she got at the weekend when she was with her Dad, time to see friends and lots of people offered to support her with childcare during the week because she was a single mum.
When she got married and had 2 more DCs, all offers of help faded, her finances worsened, her husband became depressed and lost his job so she had to work 2 jobs and looks after DCs too. She became exhausted and resentful and started drinking a lot.
I got a tiny glimpse into life as single parent during a free weekend this weekend and I liked it. My DCs are both extrovert and extremely challenging, I am introvert and I find them utterly draining. DH feels like another DC to take care of with his constant questions about trivial things I think he should know the answers to.
I'm thinking that, even if I want to rekindle my marriage at the end of this trial, it may be worth separating, just to find a piece of me again, to be able to actually think clearly again without being constantly needed and have some space at weekends.
Has anyone initiated separation for similar reasons or can relate?

This all makes total sense to me. I am currently trying to work out what the future holds for me, my marriage, my family...but I so often think that I could actually be happier apart as I’d have some genuine time alone, for myself. I’d miss my children, but the time I spend with them would be better quality and I could be a better person. I’m an introvert too. I have no answers, but I think I can relate to what you are saying.

at some point you may miss adult contact and conversation along with someone who asks about you.
its understandable how at this point it's like a mini holiday.

I used to beg my husband for time on my own for just a few hours at the weekend - to have time to myself in the day
Now we are separated I get it and yes it's amazing, I am much more available and have loads of energy when I'm with my children - yes I miss them of course but that break is just amazing

Other people seem not to understand the alone time I crave - the danger is the more time I spend without adult company the more I want - so I force myself to socialise / talk to people as actually it's healthier and I do enjoy it when I do.

Yes, I totally get it. I still feel like this after 2 and a half years. My exH was like another very demanding child who wound up the actual DC and made them harder to manage.

I love my weekends off from parenting. I can be me, and really feel like I've found myself and grown into my own person. I'd been with exH since teen years, so it's been a revelation to be on my own.

Never looked back. I do have regrets that our marriage didn't last. But it didn't, and that's all there is to it. I'm much happier now. Much more me. A better mum.

I did start dating after about 6 months alone and that's also been a mostly fun experience although obviously Covid put a stop to that.