A MUM’s life changed “in the blink of an eye” after she went from owning two properties to living in a garage after a divorce.
Claire Adamou, 44, lived a comfortable lifestyle in her five-bedroom house with her ex-husband and their two kids for 12 years.
Claire from Chatham in Kent, said: “I went from living in a five-bedroom house and owning a two-bedroom flat to living in one room that was my sister’s garage. It was a huge adjustment.
“I felt secure. I thought that I had made it, this was how life was supposed to be. You own property and you have somewhere safe to live.”
Things turned upside down when she grew unhappy in her relationship as she and her ex partner found they were constantly bickering about mundane tasks.
The mum met her ex-husband in 2006 and they got married four years later, having their kids shortly after and moving into a five-bedroom house near Paddock Wood.
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But, after returning from a conference for her gambling industry job, Claire realised she did not want to go home – and she decided it was finally time to ask for a divorce.
Due to circumstances, Claire and her two young kids then had moved into her sister’s garage – a complete change from her previous existence.
Claire said: “The kids thought it was fun. They never really realised how bad it was. But I knew.
“Some days it was soul destroying.”
She had planned for the move to only be short-term – but ended up staying in the garage for a year.
The mum, who didn’t have her own money or bank account at the time, said: “In a blink of an eye things can change so quickly for the worse.
“It feels like you are in a never-ending battle of pain and discomfort and feeling unsettled and unsure about the future.”
The mum says her sense of security was then lost. She said: “I thought that I had made it, this was how life was supposed to be.
“You own property and you have somewhere safe to live. It was hard because I was afraid.
“I didn’t have my own bank account or my own money, so I was in a very vulnerable position.”
The garage was the size of a double bedroom, equipped with bunk beds for her kids, aged five and six at the time, and a futon for her to sleep on.
The room also had no bathroom and no direct access to the main house, causing her to have to go outside in the middle of the night when her children needed the toilet.
She added: “I didn’t have anywhere to go. My sister told me to just pack a bag and come while we wait for the dust to settle and figure it out.
“What we thought would be temporary ended up being a year.
However, things did get better and life has now turned around for Claire and her family.
She has since bought a house, started her own marketing company, and went to night school to train as a life coach.
Two years ago, she got remarried to her husband Michael, who she met through work when he was a graphic designer and web developer.
However, he has since changed career paths to become Michael Mathers, the “worlds biggest Eminem tribute artist” with the pair travelling the world together on tour.
Claire acts as Michael’s DJ and stage manager, and says it is a very healthy relationship.
The mum-of-two has also now written a book about surviving divorce, and says she is proud of how hard she fought to get back on her feet.
She said: “I really came back fighting for myself and for my kids.
“I worked hard, and pulled my big girl pants up.”
Signs your relationship is heading for a divorce
- Persistent Communication Breakdowns
Constant misunderstandings, arguments, or a complete lack of meaningful conversation can signal deep-seated issues. - Emotional Distance
Feeling like roommates rather than partners, with a noticeable lack of intimacy or emotional connection. - Frequent Criticism and Contempt
Regularly criticising each other and showing contempt, such as sarcasm, eye-rolling, or mocking, can erode the relationship’s foundation. - Unresolved Conflicts
Recurrent arguments about the same issues without any resolution can indicate deeper incompatibilities. - Loss of Trust
Trust is crucial in any relationship. If it’s been broken and cannot be rebuilt, it may be a sign that the relationship is in trouble. - Different Life Goals
Significant differences in future aspirations, such as career goals, lifestyle choices, or family planning, can create insurmountable divides. - Avoidance
Preferring to spend time apart rather than together, whether through work, hobbies, or social activities, can indicate a desire to escape the relationship. - Lack of Support
Feeling unsupported, whether emotionally, financially, or practically, can lead to feelings of isolation and resentment. - Financial Disagreements
Constantly arguing about money, spending habits, or financial priorities can strain the relationship. - Infidelity
Whether physical or emotional, infidelity can be a major breach of trust and a sign of deeper issues in the relationship. - Changes in Affection
A noticeable decrease in affection, physical touch, or romantic gestures can indicate a loss of connection.
