There’s a moment before divorce that no one really talks about.

You’re still in the marriage. Nothing has officially changed.But something inside you has.

You keep circling the same question:“Am I actually going to have to end this?”

And just as quickly, you shut it down:“It’s not that bad. Other people have it worse. Maybe I’m overreacting.”

In this episode, Mashav explores what she calls Stage 0 — the stage before separation, where you’re living your normal life on the outside, but internally questioning everything.

You won’t be told whether you should stay or leave.This episode will help you see your situation clearly, without minimising, spiralling, or rushing into a decision you’re not ready for.

You’ll walk through the real questions most women avoid asking themselves, about love, fear, resentment, self-worth, and the life you’re imagining on the other side.

If you’ve been going back and forth in your head, feeling stuck, confused, or alone in this decision… this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

Topics Covered

* What “Stage 0” of divorce actually is

* Why this stage feels so lonely and confusing

* The trap of “for better or for worse”

* Why “Do I have a good enough reason to leave?” is the wrong question

* The better question: Do I have a good enough reason to stay?

* Emotional patterns that signal deeper disconnection

* The difference between staying from love vs staying from fear

* The 10–20 year thought experiment

* The Four Horsemen

* “Staying for the kids.”

* The sunk cost trap and why it keeps you stuck

* When it’s actually wise to slow down instead of rushing

* Listening to your body as a source of truth

* What to do if you’re not ready to leave yet (Stage 0.5)

Resources Mentioned

“Is It Time to End Your Marriage?” FREE GuideA reflection-based guide with prompts from this episode to help you think through your situation without overwhelm

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Chapters:

00:47 Welcome to Stage Zero02:18 What Stage Zero Feels Like03:53 Rethinking the Vows05:33 Bad Enough?07:34 The Emotional Labor09:36 If Fear Was Gone11:03 Future Letter Test12:19 Gottman’s Four Horsemen14:22 “Staying for the Kids”16:31 Sunk Cost Trap18:13 When to Slow Down20:05 Notice Body Signals20:57 Stage 0.5 22:27 Closing Check In

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