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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Practicalities of separation, its overwhelming

6 replies

Boredboredbored5 · 22/03/2023 13:25

I don't want to talk about our marriage problems or why we want to separate but I need some advice/support on how to find the strength to actually make it happen.
We are at the end of our marriage, I've said it and so has he. Very respectfully. When we made the decision that was finally it a few months ago I thought I would be so happy as its what I wanted. Instead , I felt this huge sense of dread and fear and felt very overwhelmed. Not about him and me being apart. But just a huge fear of me managing everything alone. It seems mammoth.
So, we've currently put it on the back-burner, we are basically apart but are still living together for the time being.
We have accumilated a lot of things over 20 years , our house is a 5 bedroom semi detached so is filled with a lot of furniture and toys etc, plus a loft full of stuff and 2 sheds outside. We both have physical problems that would make packing, moving, carrying furniture downstairs etc almost impossible.when I look around i just don't know where to start. The stuff in the kitchen cupboards and appliances alone could fill a van!
Then I became extremely anxious about how I would manage living alone. I fully admit i am far to reliant on others, I've cleaned cooked, he's done the garden and DIY. I know I would learn, plenty of others do it.
Luckily I do all of the admin, bills, renewals and all the kids stuff. This is something that my husband would really struggle with .
I went straight from living with parents to living with him and I am now in my 40s, with 2 preteens
I've done the silly thing that others do and questioned is it something that I actually want to do? But like I say it'd purely to do with the practical side that's stopping me from pushing forward with it. Any tips?

OP posts:
RachelRasper · 22/03/2023 13:33

From a practical perspective, when I moved I had the removal people pack up my stuff. It wasn’t a massive amount more but honestly worth every penny…

it sounds like you’re feeling completely overwhelmed cos you’re looking at all the work, the potential difficulties and issues. Focus on one thing at a time. It’s doable. You’ll be amazed at how independent and resilient you are…

usererror99 · 22/03/2023 13:36

Mine wasn't a mutual decision - he left unexpectedly - but I do a room at a time - sorting through, dividing, Facebook marketplace, tip runs, things set aside for kids that they might want. As each room is cleared down then it gets decorated (I'm staying in the family home) and I make repairs and whatever small changes I can afford

Boredboredbored5 · 22/03/2023 13:41

We would be selling this house as its too big for either of us to run alone so we would both be downsizing.To be honest as was absolutely shocked at my reaction to it all. Its something I've been wanting for about 5 years , and when it was finally said it scared me to death. It is still what I want , I just don't know how to achieve it

OP posts:
jsku · 22/03/2023 13:42

Before arraigning the practicalities of the move - have you figured out how the finances and living arrangements are actually going to work going forward?
Are you selling the house? Buying one or two new properties? Where? Etc
Seems you are skipping ahead to worrying about packing before lots of other important steps have been decided?

It seems that both of you are rather amicable. Plenty of people start separation by living in the same house. It can work when people are not fighting and when there is enough space and kids involved.
In a 5br house - you might just be setup for it. And so you can take time to sort out the future. And clear our stuff accumulated over the years. Get kids used to seeing you having more of separate lives, etc.

It’s possible. And may be a gentler and more civilised way to go.

Pixiedust1234 · 22/03/2023 14:06

Go through each room and decide who wants which item (write it down and bigots sign it to avoid arguments later). Then work out what to do with the remainder - sell, charity or skip. Then physically sell, charity or skip rather than ignore. Do the sheds, the loft, everywhere.

Then go through paperwork and photos. Throw away anything you don't need and make copies if you both want something.

Get a solicitor involved so you know your legal and financial rights and once agreed, you put in a financial consent order to the court. Once a judge has stamped it, then put the house on the market.

Once sold and its time to move get a removal company that offers a packing service. If its not bolted down it gets moved.

Break things down into achievable segments.

Pixiedust1234 · 22/03/2023 14:07

bigots?? Both sign and date it.

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