“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.
While giving him space may present certain challenges, there are many benefits of taking time apart and practicing self-care. Allowing each other the freedom to communicate openly, cultivate independence and recharge can be quintessential in forging a relationship that is both fulfilling, and supportive.
Again, if you just give him space or cut contact completely, yes, he will notice, but it might not be enough to actually make him miss you. This is especially true if you two have gone through a nasty breakup. If you want to make him miss you, you have to give him a solid reason to miss you!
Once you've decided to give him 3 days (and you've both agreed on it), take time apart from each other. This means avoiding any form of communication, including texting, calling, or social media. Give each other space to cool off, recollect your emotions, and reflect on the argument.
Say, for example, the three-day rule. Popularized by the romcom, the three-day dating rule insists that a person wait three full days before contacting a potential suitor. A first-day text or call is too eager, a second-day contact seems planned, but three days is, somehow, the perfect amount of time.
The theory is that waiting three days makes you look less eager and/or desperate, and gives your date time to realize how much they liked you when they think you might not contact them. Essentially, the three day rule is all about playing hard to get.
If you want less distance and pull them toward you, they will want more distance to carry the relationship back toward their comfort level. But if you distance yourself more than they ideally would like, chances are they then will start to pull to bring you closer—again toward the level of involvement they want.
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.
Things You Should Know
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.
You can stop texting or calling him and give him a chance to miss you. Respect his space and focus on doing your own thing by hanging out with your friends, living your life, and doing self-care. Take things slow and let him put effort into building the relationship with you.
For example, if a woman is upset with her partner and chooses to remain silent, it can send a strong message that something is wrong without actually saying it. Men tend to pick up on these nonverbal cues and may respond by trying to understand what is wrong and how to fix it.
“No contact” could make him question what he thought he did right. He'll doubt everything from his attractiveness and bedroom skills to his jokes and romantic gestures. He might fixate on every little error he made while you were together, adding to his feelings of regret and insecurity.
Just because your boyfriend asked for space doesn't mean that he wants to break up or move on. Unless he gave you some indication he was upset or unhappy, he may just think your relationship is moving a little too fast or that he doesn't get enough time for himself.
Many people fear providing space in their relationships because they think it means things are going badly. But a healthy relationship can improve when each person is on the same page and has the opportunity to pursue their passions and develop as an individual.
However, if it's only been a few weeks, it's probably too soon to give up hope. Here are some signs it might be time to move on: If you've been seeing him for over a month and things are not escalating. If you're not getting any indication that your partner is interested in moving things forward romantically.
What happens when you stop chasing a man? He starts to miss you. No more frequent random calls or text messages to catch his attention, and he starts to miss them. He will figure out he enjoyed the attention you gave him and the feeling that somebody out there cared for him.
Make an effort to listen well. A man will frequently show his love to a lady who sincerely listens to what he has to say. He wants to know that she cares about what he thinks and says.
Men pull away due to multiple reasons ranging from fears, insecurities, or anxieties to desperation or loss of love. It is crucial for you to figure out the reason behind his pulling away to protect your relationship. And probably the best way to deal with it is to give him space.
See if he responds 3 days after the date if he's old-fashioned. Even though not a lot of people do it anymore, some guys follow a “3-day rule” where they wait a few days before they reach out. Guys think waiting makes them sound less desperate, so they may feel more comfortable texting you at that point.
Give it a few days (or even a week).
It might feel tough waiting for him to text you, but your crush might truly be busy and unable to respond to your messages right away. Waiting 2–3 days or up to a week before reaching out gives him a chance to text you first once he realizes what he's missing.