A s more women in midlife choose to leave long-term marriages , Independent readers have been sharing deeply personal reflections on why so many relationships are reaching breaking point – and whether marriage itself still works for modern life. Many readers said the “walkaway wife” phenomenon reflects years of unequal emotional and domestic labour, particularly among Gen X women who were expected to build careers while still carrying most responsibilities at home. Others described slowly losing their sense of identity inside long marriages, only realising later in life that they no longer wanted to keep sacrificing themselves to keep relationships afloat. Several women spoke about feeling “lighter” and more fulfilled after leaving unhappy marriages, even when the separation brought financial uncertainty or loneliness. Menopause, empty nests and children growing up were repeatedly described as moments that forced women to reassess what they wanted from the second half of their lives.…