New Year, new relationship! At least that’s the mindset of plenty of online daters as they kick off their new year’s resolution to find love.
“While the end of the year is about taking stock of one’s life, the new year is about moving forward, thinking of the future and developing solutions to the problems we’ve identified, which is why we see this rise in people looking for love – it’s a move from analysing to acting,” says eHarmony psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos.
But although the number of messages sent through online dating in January is 12 per cent higher than any other month, the risk of a partner cheating also takes a dramatic spike…
New data collected by Gleeden, a dating site of 3.3 million people looking to cheat, has found that you or your partner are most likely to engage in an affair on the second Monday after Christmas, which, this year, fell on January 9.
A particular increase is shown during the first month of the year, apparently because users wanted to “regain their freedom” after the festive season’s obligations, which is what 52 per cent of participants who were likely to cheat said.
“Routine may weigh down on individuals, or be rather oppressive when it follows extended periods devoted to family life. This is the result of a legitimate human need: to have fun and think of oneself,” says Solene Paillet, director of communications at Gleeden.
So while some romances seem flourish in the New Year, others appear to fall apart, like these celebs whose relationships tragically fell victim to the January curse.
Click through the gallery to see Hollywood’s January heartbreaks.
Patrick and Jillian Dempsey – The Grey’s Anatomy alum and wife of nearly 15 years, Jillian, announced that they would be ending their marriage in January 2015. “It is with careful consideration and mutual respect that we have decided to end our marriage,” they said in a statement, adding: “Our primary concern remains the wellbeing of our children, and we ask with profound gratitude that you respect our family’s privacy at this very sensitive time.” Of course, the couple have since rekindled their love, proving that 2016 wasn’t all bad.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt – It was an awful case of new year, new you for Jen, now-47, whose then husband Brad left her for Angelina Jolie in the first week or January 2005.
Katy Perry and Russell Brand – In what is perhaps the cruellest way to break up, the 41-year-old British comedian called time on his marriage to the Roar singer via text message on New Year’s Eve in 2011.
Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson – While things have ultimately worked out for both parties – dad Ryan is smitten with wife Blake Lively and Scarlett now shares a little one with hubby Romain Dauriac – the couple sadly parted ways after two years of marriage just after the holiday season in 2010.
Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams – After six years of marriage, Mandy and Ryan decided to go their separate ways in January 2015. “It is a respectful, amicable parting of ways, and both Mandy and Ryan are asking for media to respect their privacy at this time,” a rep for the pair said at the time.
