Women and Middle Age

I have a good friend who recently moved into her own apartment after 30 years of marriage. She has no intention of getting a divorce- they just couldn't see eye to eye on too many things. I think she just needed some space. She married young and went from her mother's house to her husband's house and then proceeded to raise 5 children. It's exhausting.
I have another friend who mentioned the other day that she had thought of getting her own apartment as well.
I think when women reach a certain age, we become wary. It's not like it was in our mother and grandmother's era- women now also add working outside of the home to their already full agenda.
Another issue is that our children still continue to need us long after they have left the nest. I am happy that my children value my opinion and want to share with me- there are some days, however, when it just makes me worry.
The first friend I mentioned is so happy in her own space. It's not as if she's living a wild , party life --she just enjoys not having to listen to someone who isn't in a happy place. She can sit alone and enjoy the quiet.
Perhaps divorce could be avoided if women could have their own space at about age 50 - just for a year or so. Our hormones and our bodies are going through drastic changes at this time. It's therapeutic to have some down time.