Divorcing at 62: Despite the Criticism, I Have Found True Happiness in My Own Life

This is my personal story, and I do not advocate for divorce for everyone. My view is simple: no matter what age we are, we have the right to live happily and must fight for our own happiness!

I divorced when I was 62 years old. When people hear this, many of them probably shake their heads and think that I’m an old woman refusing to live quietly. But what they don’t know is that I spent 40 years of my life in an unhappy marriage, afraid to make the decision because of what others would say. Now, I’ve decided to live for myself, no matter what others think.

For years, my marriage had been nothing but a struggle. My husband and I lost our connection nearly five years ago. It started with simple things—his snoring kept me from sleeping, so we stopped sharing a bed. We rarely spoke to each other during the day, and we simply coexisted in silence within the house.

Sometimes, we would eat together, and other times, we wouldn’t. But even when we did sit down to a meal, we would each be engrossed in our phones, watching TV, or doing separate tasks. Whenever I tried to talk to him, his responses were cold and indifferent, as if he wasn’t really interested in anything I had to say.

Even when our children were living with us, my husband rarely helped with household chores or childcare. He believed that those were tasks meant for women, and he often spent his time out drinking and playing cards with friends, coming home late.

Now, as he has aged and his health has declined, he expects me to take care of him like a caretaker, but I had already played that role my entire life. I am tired and no longer willing to act as his caregiver.

For years, he never bought me anything. If I bought myself a new dress or expensive skincare products, he would criticize me for spending money when, in his eyes, I didn’t earn enough to justify it.

The truth is, I had been wanting to divorce for a long time, but I held off because of my children and the opinions of others. Now, I don’t know how much longer I have to live, so I’ve decided to live for myself.

When I retired, like many other wives, I longed for a marriage where my partner and I would spend time together, communicate, and care for one another in our old age. But, honestly, after years of living separately under the same roof, we had grown into a routine where we lived like two parallel lines, never disturbing each other.

What was the meaning of this marriage? Sometimes, relationships cannot be nurtured in a short period of time, and it’s difficult to change habits and mindsets that have been formed over many years. Instead of trying to fix it, I realized it was better to part ways and find happiness on our own. Although it’s hard for older people to remarry, it is still better than staying in a meaningless, unhappy marriage.

After 40 years of unhappiness, I made the decision to find happiness for myself. I truly believe that no matter what age we are, we can find someone who shares our views and cares about us.

Now, after retiring, I no longer have to worry about what people at work think. Also, my daughter is married, and my divorce no longer affects her ability to find a partner.

At this point, I no longer care about the opinions of others. My children have their own families and careers, so I no longer need to compromise for their sake. I don’t want to live in a loveless marriage any longer; I’ve already spent too many years doing that.

It’s been a year since I decided to divorce. Despite the gossip and judgment from others, I’ve never felt more happy and free than I do now! By choosing to ignore the negative comments, focusing on self-care, and surrounding myself with positive people, I have found a life full of energy.

Rather than staying stuck in a meaningless marriage, I now live peacefully in my small home. I enjoy spending time with friends, visiting new places, or simply resting at home when I feel tired. I am happy because I no longer have to take care of or worry about anyone else.

I still regularly call to check on my children and grandchildren. Occasionally, if my children are busy, I help look after my grandchildren for a few days. Life is truly joyful and lighthearted!