Are you about to get dumped? It’s officially relationship spring clean season
There are so many wonderful things about spring. Warmer weather, flowers in bloom and the buzz of excitement as people leave hibernation and flock to local parks and beer gardens.
But one of the not so wonderful things, is the possibility of an impending breakup. As a season so associated with new beginnings, it’s unsurprising that the “fresh start” mindset of spring extends to relationships.
In fact, break ups this time of year are so common there’s even a name for it: the “spring clean”.
But this spring clean isn’t about doing a sort out of the house – it’s about shedding an unfulfilling relationship, and cuts far deeper.
Read on to learn why so many couples break up in spring, as well as other times of year that can be particularly treacherous for relationships.
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What is the spring clean?
The concept of spring cleaning applied to relationships has been circulating online and on various dating advice blogs since at least the early 2010s. So it’s not a new concept by any means.
It’s the idea that people should apply their approach to the traditional spring clean to their relationship.
Spring cleaning the house is a reset – and it’s all about getting rid of the old to make space for the new.
Similarly, in terms of relationship spring cleaning, many people use this time of year to think about whether their relationship is still serving them, or whether there are underlying issues that can no longer be ignored.
It’s a time to ask the big questions. Does your partner still make you happy? Are there any unhealthy patterns that aren’t changing? And ultimately, is this relationship something you want to hold on to – or is it time to finally let go?
Spring is about true reflection, and as a result, for many it can spell the end of a relationship.
There’s data to show that this time of year is particularly fatal for couples, too. According to a graph created by Information is Beautiful, which is based on 10,000 Facebook statuses that reference breaking up, there are three times of year when the number of breakups significantly increases. And spring (specifically March) is one of them.
Why are there more breakups this time of year?
Spring is not just a time for thinking – it’s also a time for action. For many people, spring is when they finally do the tasks they’ve been putting off – like deep cleaning the house or getting fit for summer.
So, for someone who has been thinking about ending their relationship for a while, spring and its association with ‘getting things in order’ might be the final push.
Spring also brings new routines and opportunities, such as spending time outside and reconnecting with nature. People also become more sociable again after ‘battening down the hatches’ during winter.
With more social events on the calendar and the ability to surround yourself with loved ones, the thought of breaking up with someone might feel less daunting.
The weather also plays a considerable role in why people might be more likely to end things in spring. Research has consistently shown that a lack of sunlight has a negative impact on our mental health and well-being.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) causes low mood, lethargy and a sense of hopelessness in sufferers. These emotions may prevent an individual from walking away from a relationship that is not right for them, because they feel they don’t have the mental or emotional capacity to deal with how painful and destabilising breakups can be.
However, with the increased levels of serotonin (one of the four happy hormones) from spring sunshine, people may feel more positive, energised, and motivated for a fresh start.
With Christmas, New Year's Day, and Valentine’s Day all taking place during the winter months, some couples may also feel pressure to stay together during this time, especially if they have plans arranged, which can mean delaying a breakup until spring.
This leads us on to the other common times of year that people break up…
Are there other times of year that breakups spike?
According to Information is Beautiful’s graph, there are two other times of year that see more couples break up.
The first is after Valentine’s Day, and this can be explained by the heightened pressure that the day brings. If expectations aren’t met, Valentine’s Day can cause disappointment and shine a light on a couple’s differences.
The biggest peak in breakups, however, occurs two weeks before Christmas, earning it the name “breakup season”. Again, the run-up to Christmas can crank up the pressure in relationships and cause couples to call it quits before the festivities begin.
As Christmas typically involves spending time with family, this time of year also makes people consider whether they want their partner to join them and whether they want to spend time with their partner’s family.
Plus, if a couple is going through a challenging time, pretending that everything is fine for the sake of the holidays can feel impossible, leading to a breakup.
Finally, with the New Year on the horizon, people may want to leave an unhappy relationship in the past and start again, just as many do in spring.
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