In short: yes — as long as both people in the relationship want it to. “Space can heal a relationship,” explains Jason Polk, a licensed clinical social worker and couples therapist in Denver, Colorado, “especially if the couple is currently toxic or verbally abusive to each other.”
Every healthy relationship needs space from time to time. Giving ourselves space that is separate from our relationship allows us to still maintain individuality. Having physical space or uninterrupted time to ourselves allows us to pay closer attention to our emotions.
Spending time apart can make your relationship a whole lot healthier, Erickson says, because it gives you both a chance to reconnect with your own values, desires. It'll be easier to connect in a genuine way after you've had some space, as well as a lot more exciting.
Allowing your partner the freedom to have time alone, process their emotions, and pursue their personal interests can help to build a stronger sense of trust and intimacy in the relationship over time. In many cases, giving your partner space will benefit your personal growth as well.
Needing space and breaking up are two different things, and there's no reason to jump to conclusions in your relationship. If your issues are small, why not try working things out first? If you can't improve your relationship from there, you can always break up in the end.
If your partner says they need space, it's easy to panic and think you've done something wrong—but the truth is, a little bit of space is healthy in a relationship. Sometimes we start spending too much time together or we miss our friends or we just aren't feeling like ourselves—and space can help reset the balance.
'” The exact temporal parameters can vary from couple to couple, but 3 weeks apart is a good baseline to set. Why three weeks? “You need about a week to let your body and mind adjust to not being around someone that you've been in a relationship with,” says Farrell.
The 3 day rule after argument is a common practice in relationships where individuals agree to take a 3 day relationship break from each other after a heated disagreement. During this time, both parties cool off, reflect on their feelings/thoughts, and avoid communication with each other.
Giving your ex time and space allows you to have some time to think about the relationship. It also gives your ex time to miss you. They're not going to miss someone who refuses to get out of their life.
Coan advises every couple to adhere to the 70/30 rule: For the happiest, most harmonious relationship, the pro suggests spending 70% of time together, and 30% apart. That gives each of you enough freedom to explore your own interests while still being rooted and invested in your relationship.
Stay calm and avoid jumping to conclusions, even if you're upset that he's pulling away. Ask him what's going on respectfully and with an open mind. Give him space. One of the best things you can do for your relationship is to give your guy room to miss you and let him have space if he wants it.
The proverb “absence makes the heart grow fonder” describes the feeling of greater affection between friends and lovers who are kept apart. It is a phrase that, in on one form or another, can be traced back for millennia—the Roman poet Sextus is credited with the earliest version of the phrase.
“Space can be from a couple of hours to a couple of days or weeks,” says Ruiz, though he generally doesn't recommend his clients take longer than 3 to 4 weeks. “The timeframe that is being considered should be reasonable for both parties to agree with,” he says.
Giving him space might not feel sincere to him and can trigger a sense of suffocation. Unless he tells you what he was up to, resist the urge to ask him about it. It is natural to want to call or text him. But if he has asked for space, do not call or text him.
Set a reasonable time frame
Six months is a break up, not a break, the experts say. Anything from one week to a month should be enough time for one or both parties to determine whether they should stay together.
Don't: Communicate During a Break
And in turn, it's natural to keep going back to this person. But you need this break to clear your mind and reflect. Having regular communication or even checking in with your partner will only muddy things up.
They are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, according to Mental-Health-Matters.
Couples break up for many reasons. Relationship pundits often attribute breakups to money, sex, in-laws, children, and other normal life stresses.
You Need Space If You See An Unhealthy Pattern Forming
So if you're feeling a little cramped, you may want to break that cycle by asking for some space, Rappaport says. Breaking the cycle, possibly by creating more space, shows you actually want the relationship to work.
"If you are just dating casually, on the verge of a making a commitment, and 'space' means being away with no contact for undetermined periods of days/weeks, and this is something you do not enjoy, then it is a sign to re-evaluate why you are dating in the first place," Kermit says.