Is wanting a divorce irrational?

QI’ve been married for 45 years and I’m in my early 70s. My husband and I just don’t get on. We’ve talked about it and both want to separate. My friends say it’s a mad thing to do, as financially we’ll be worse

off and surely, at this stage of life, we can just get on with it.

Alison, Scarborough

AIf you and your husband both believe you can be happier even if less well off living apart, then no one should try to stop you finding happiness. Maybe you could do it in two steps, with one of you renting somewhere – if you can afford it – for a few months, just to be sure your premise is correct. If you found you missed each other, you could return to life as now. Who knows, it might be better! But, if it gives you what you want, you could move on to the next phase.