It\u2019s a tale as old as time: You\u2019re getting to know someone, you have great chemistry, and your relationship is blossoming. You don\u2019t want to jinx it, but you have a good feeling about this relationship. That is, until they drop the four little words that change everything: \u201cI need space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nobody wants to hear \u201cI need space.\u201d It feels like the kiss of death in the dating world. What exactly does it mean? Is it texting less? Is it spending more nights apart? Is it a breakup? We\u2019re here to help you figure out what it means and how best to react when someone says, \u201cI need space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Listen carefully and understand why. Be aware and assess accordingly. Thank them for being honest. Respect their wishes. Get some space of your own. When someone says that they need some space, the last thing you want to do is overwhelm them with questions or press them for information. The best response is a positive one. Even if things ultimately fizzle out, your partner will be grateful that things ended on good, respectful terms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It feels like the kiss of death in the dating world, but what exactly does it mean?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":79,"featured_media":15598,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[898],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-relationship-problems"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/strong>When those four words come up, the most important thing you can do is listen to what your partner is saying. Understand their reason for needing space\u2014does it relate to you, are they busy at work, or is something pressing going on in their personal life?\u2014and, most importantly, respect their request. Arguing, pushing back, or getting defensive won\u2019t get you anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>It\u2019s important to be aware of (and realistic about) your situation. There\u2019s a big difference between someone you\u2019ve only known a few weeks wanting space and someone you\u2019re in an exclusive relationship with wanting space. If you\u2019ve been out on a few dates, that\u2019s one thing. If it\u2019s your fianc\u00e9e, that\u2019s another. The shorter the relationship, the less you should protest. Consider your status and proceed accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>With the increased use of technology in our daily lives, most, if not all, of our dating and relationship communication has moved online. It\u2019s easy for people to just disappear and never text again without so much as an explanation of why. So when someone chooses to tell you that they need some space, in a way, it\u2019s better than not being told at all. Even though it\u2019s not great news to hear, it\u2019s still better than being left in the dark, wondering why things changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>When your partner says that they need some space, give them some space. Don\u2019t try to change their mind. We know it\u2019s tempting to probe for answers or even try justifying your own behavior, but trust us: That\u2019s only going to make things worse. Moving forward, it\u2019s a good idea to wait for them to reach out to you first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>Hey, if everyone\u2019s doing it, why not? Instead of stewing because your partner wants some space, take a page from their book and get some space of your own. Find a new hobby, catch up with friends, or indulge in some serious \u201cme\u201d time. You might even see your relationship in a new light too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n