“It was awful,” Euan recalls. “We couldn’t be in the same room without making digs at each other. I think she took it far worse. I wanted to leave, but I couldn’t afford to shell out for a new room in a new house share, plus keep paying rent. I could barely scrape together the money for a deposit.”
Euan and his ex-partner are based in London, where the average monthly rent has soared to an eye-watering £2,500 a month. Meanwhile, renting website SpareRoom has found demand for rooms now outstrips supply – allowing prices to rocket further.
Thankfully for Euan, his flat had two bedrooms, meaning he wasn’t forced to top to toe or switch to the sofa for the long term – but that doesn’t mean it made living together comfortable.
“It was such a relief when the contract ended and we could move on,” Euan confesses. “Break-ups are already painful enough, but the added financial pressure just made things so much worse.”
However, with the cost of living showing no signs of abating anytime soon, having to bunker down with an ex, no matter how painful the break-up, looks to be an increasingly common phenomenon.
“Living with an ex after a breakup can be challenging, but maintaining civility is essential for your mental health and your ex’s,” explains Jessica Alderson, the Co-Founder and Relationship Expert at dating app So Syncd. ‘The key is to communicate and set clear boundaries. Establishing ground rules like respecting each other’s space and avoiding sensitive topics can help to keep the peace.
“Allowing for a little bit of distance can give you space to heal, so it’s important to remember that setting limits is not a sign of disrespect.”
Alderson continues: “Engaging in activities or spending time with friends outside of your living space can help take to clear your head and avoid unnecessary tension. If both of you focus on taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, it can make the transition a little easier. Having an end date in mind can also be beneficial for your mental health.
“Remember that your ex is likely feeling the after-effects of your breakup too, and allowing yourself to empathise with them can help the situation. Having compassion for yourself and your ex can make living together easier and promote an understanding atmosphere.
“It’s important to accept that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable or frustrated during the process. Living with an ex after a breakup can be difficult—don’t feel like you need to pretend otherwise.”
*names have been changed