The recession has played havoc with people’s lives, not least those whose relationships have broken down. Countless couples who would otherwise have gone their separate ways have stayed together because they felt they couldn’t afford to divorce. Some couples have parted emotionally, but have continued to live under the same roof for because they’ve been unable to sell the marital home.

Earlier this month, the housing charity Shelter published research which showed that almost a quarter of people surveyed said they or someone they know have had to stay living with their partner because of financial reasons.

Now that – officially at least – Britain is slowly coming out of recession, these economic constraints may start to ease. However, my guess is that many estranged couples who last year resigned themselves to staying put for the time being will continue to do so, even if the housing market picks up significantly. Not because they can see a way to rekindle their relationship, but because of inertia.

Inertia, in its social sense, describes resistance to change, usually due to habit. If ex-couples have found a way to live together, yet apart, they may think the easiest option is to continue in the same vein.

However, to carry on living in a state of limbo because you can’t find the motivation to do anything about it isn’t a good idea: resisting change by refusing to make a decision to end the marriage once and for all and move on with your life can be psychologically damaging and physically constraining.

A new year heralds a new start and the only way for estranged couples to make a fresh beginning is to sever their ties and move on. Even those who have fallen into a reasonably comfortable habit of sharing the same house, despite having effectively split up, need to understand that they cannot truly move on if they allow the status quo to continue.

It may seem daunting – unnecessary even – to embark upon the legal process to end your relationship, but if you don’t you can’t start a new life.

The longer unhappily married couples put off the decision to end their relationship formally, the more entrenched in their “half life” they are likely to become. Yes, it is difficult to do, but in the long run it will pay dividends.

Inertia may work for a short time, but if it’s allowed to take root it can stunt the rest of your life.