While the process remains lengthy enough to make quickie divorces impossible, there are other factors that may be speeding up the rate. The most obvious of these are new pressure points for couples, including the hangover of Covid lockdowns and continued cost of living concerns. Another more surprising influence is the impact of celebrities. “More and more celebrities are publicly announcing their relationship woes and marital breakdowns,” says Pierce. “Clients have frequently commented that seeing famous relationships fail has made them feel as though they’re not alone and given them the courage to move forward with their own divorce.” From OG uncoupler Gwyneth Paltrow to more recent divorces, like Reese Witherspoon’s Instagram announcement, celebrity separations can clearly be emboldening.

But, as in most unsettling situations, it pays to also take your cues from an unbiased professional. “Before ending a marriage, I would always encourage a couple to try couples therapy. It’s important to assess your reasons for wanting to end the relationship,” says Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic. “Some feelings of regret are natural, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that the decision to separate is wrong. However, these types of feelings can show us that there may be a part of us that still holds on to some attachment – and positive feelings – to this person. While these feelings may be an inevitable part of separating, it’s also important to examine them more precisely and understand what’s bringing them about.”

Of course, fear of regret should never stop anyone from walking away from a toxic situation; it’s important to note that divorce still represents salvation for many, including one 34-year-old woman who divorced her husband of three years after his behaviour became “very unkind and threatening”. “Although my imagined future of four kids and a loving husband won’t be what I originally planned, I realise how lucky I was to get out of that situation safely and with a lovely little girl,” she says.

In situations that feel less clear-cut for those involved, there should be further opportunities for reflection throughout the divorce experience. “A client should never feel pressured into issuing divorce proceedings and a reconciliation should be discussed at the outset to ensure that it’s the route they wish to take,” says Pierce. “If you instigate divorce and regret doing so, there are various routes of redress.”

Along with her business partner, Pierce has encountered clients changing their minds at every stage of the process. And post-divorce, you can always get back together if regret is mutual – even if that does sound like a Parent Trap fantasy. All in all, it seems that the best way to avoid regret is by taking things slowly, surrounding yourself with the best professionals possible and not feeling pressured into throwing a divorce party if you do end up going through with it.

Images: Getty

“I still think about him every day”: how common is it to regret your divorce?