Late 30’s from the midwest here. Marriage of 17 years, one 15yr old child. After 15.5 years of marriage, wife starts fading away. Little things here and there - not wanting to be around my family, not contributing to the household, etc. Never any massive shouting matches or any violence from either side. It was a great partnership, until it wasn’t.

We have worked on it for so long and finally earlier this year she said she wanted to stop trying to fix the marriage. So I filed, and I won the initial hearing solidly, she is moving by end of the month and has to pay for her car and other stuff again. Our child is not happy as expected, bit neither am I. I make a very decent living, but since she stopped contributing I had to pay everything. I literally am living paycheck to paycheck for the first time in about 12 years. I hate my job as well, so that does not help with the stress.

My house is an absolute nightmare - messy, out of sorts and I hate clutter. I am stressed just walking in the front door. I cannot seem to find the energy to do anything either. I am tired constantly and do not really enjoy much. Certainly I am depressed. I honestly would love to just light a match, and walk away into the woods. Obviously would never do it. I will likely end up having to sell to pay her off in the final arrangement anyway.

I just want to be happy again. I can move on without her but I can hardly get around nowadays. I have to see her and her family and kid events and it just ruins my entire day.

Does it honestly get better?