Millions turn their mid-life crisis into a brand new start

Starting over, it seems, has become something of a national obsession. In fact more than ten million Britons have ended a long-term relationship or an established career to forge a brand new life, a study has found.

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Almost as many adults aged 35 to 65 have started over as those who have not.

Fresh starts take in anything from divorce to setting up a new business or simply abandoning the nine-to-five humdrum to follow a long-cherished dream.

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The study from Standard Life Bank found 45 per cent of the 35-65s - equivalent to 10.6 million - had embarked on "second lives" rather than sticking to the traditional course of one marriage and a lifetime in one profession.

Though more than half said their second lives were happier than their first, the change came with a hefty £20,000 price tag, according to the study. It's hardly surprising. For those starting over by separating, only 24 per cent get to keep their home. The soaring cost of property makes it more worthwhile to sell up and split the proceeds or, for many, use it as part of a settlement.

There is also an increase in those brave enough to leave a long-term career to go it alone and start a new business.

According to the survey, which questioned 1,000 adults, it is never too late to have second thoughts about your life or indulge in a classic mid-life crisis.

A third of those surveyed aged between 45 and 60 wanted to "start again" compared to fewer than one in four of those aged 35-44.

Analyst William Higham, of trend forecasters Next Big Thing, said life was becoming more complicated in modern Britain.

"Once we could all expect a simple trajectory," he said. "We'd meet a partner, move in with them, raise children and then retire together.

"Now, although we may begin one life, we are increasingly ending that first life and starting a second life through choice or accident."

Ashley Ramsay, trends expert for Standard Life, said: "There is a lot at stake when starting again, be it a relationship or career move.

"Having financial peace of mind when your life is in upheaval means one less problem to worry about."

Around 145,000 couples divorce every year in Britain compared to only 27,000 a year in 1961 according to official figures.

The divorce figures, however, do not include separations among those with long-term partners who never married.

The study also found that 13 per cent of workers - around three million adults - will change professions or careers after ten years or more in one line of work.

For some the change is forced through redundancy.

Others can spend years in one job before they realise they want to follow a completely different path.