This Common January Habit Could Quietly End Your Relationship

A common January habit many couples embrace could be quietly pushing relationships to breaking points, family law experts warn.

Divorce solicitors say that while January is already the busiest month for marriage breakdowns, more couples are tracing the start of their problems back to lifestyle changes at the beginning of the year.

Rather than explosive rows or infidelity, many marriages begin to unravel after one partner commits to a strict “January reset”, leaving the other feeling sidelined.

Simarjot Singh Judge, solicitor and founding partner of Judge Law, said:

“Every January we see couples coming in who don’t point to one big argument.

“Instead, they describe a gradual shift in the relationship after one partner changed their lifestyle and the other didn’t.”

Mr Judge says these changes often involve cutting out alcohol, adopting a new diet, or prioritising fitness and routine. While positive individually, they can unintentionally alter how couples spend time together.

He continued: “Something as simple as no longer sharing meals, avoiding social plans, or going to bed at different times can slowly erode connection.

“Couples don’t always notice it happening until they feel more like housemates than partners.”

Resentment can quietly build on both sides – one partner feeling held back and the other judged or left behind.

January is particularly intense because it brings clarity and routine after the distractions of the festive period.

Mr Judge said: “Once life returns to normal, people have more time to reflect.

“January creates a ‘now or never’ mindset. People are less willing to tolerate unhappiness and more focused on personal fulfilment.”

He adds that the lifestyle shift does not directly cause divorce, but acts as a catalyst:

“It’s not that the diet or lifestyle change causes divorce on its own. It acts as a catalyst.”

Couples heading for divorce often show early warning signs. Communication becomes practical rather than emotional, shared routines disappear, and future plans are quietly dropped.

Mr Judge said: “These are the signs we see long before separation is discussed.

“By the time couples seek legal advice, one partner has often already emotionally checked out.”

Mr Judge stresses that self-improvement is not the problem – how it’s handled in a relationship is.

“January changes can be healthy. But when one partner reshapes their life without involving the other, it can unintentionally push the relationship off course.”

As January continues to be the busiest month for divorce enquiries, lawyers warn couples to pay attention not just to big arguments, but to the small, everyday shifts that can quietly change a marriage for good.