Last year, Claire decided to take a break from her marriage.<\/p>\n
She moved into a small second dwelling on the property she shares with her husband on the New South Wales coast.<\/p>\n
“After almost five decades together, I just decided it’s what I want,” says Claire, not her real name, aged in her 60s.<\/p>\n
“I feel selfish, but I am truly happy for the first time in a while. I am doing all the things I want to do, without my husband quizzing me on everything.”<\/p>\n
She reached out to us after reading the ABC’s story on marriage sabbaticals<\/a>, and says she doesn’t plan on moving back into the main house anytime soon \u2014 if ever.<\/p>\n We spoke with Claire about her relationship restructure and how it’s playing out.<\/p>\n These are her words.<\/p>\n Women on taking a marriage break<\/a><\/p>\n Do you ever feel like taking a break from your marriage? Three women share how a marriage sabbatical changed their relationship.<\/p>\n It had been coming for a while<\/p>\n About a decade ago I took myself off for a work opportunity interstate.<\/p>\n I initially did six months, but ended up staying for two years. I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of freedom and adventure that came with that, and doing all the things I like to do.<\/p>\n And over the years, neither my husband nor I have been completely happy.<\/p>\n I was prepared to do something about that. Moving into our second dwelling felt like a very gentle way to transition into something I’m more comfortable with.<\/p>\n I knew he wouldn’t be happy about it, but he wasn’t surprised either.<\/p>\n We’ve been in separate bedrooms for years now, and I just love having my own space.<\/p>\n I’ve always loved the smaller dwelling as I’m not into housework.<\/p>\n I have my own house and my own garden. We’re even separated by a fence.<\/p>\n If the gate is closed, or my blinds are drawn, he knows not to come in.<\/p>\n We still cook for each other a few nights a week and eat together at either place.<\/p>\n