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.
Anything from one week to a month should be enough time for one or both parties to determine whether they should stay together. “You may decide halfway through the agreed upon time that you want to be with that person, but you should respect the time frame,” Edwards says.
What Is "Taking a Break"? In the most fundamental sense, taking a break means that you and your partner haven't officially broken up, but you've decided to take some time off from each other and your relationship. It's also key to keep in mind that taking a break doesn't have to equal a breakup.
While it's never good to take a break to avoid a breakup, sometimes breaks naturally lead to breakups even if that's not the direction you saw it going. If your time and space away from the relationship offers clarity and reveals that it was not a sustainable relationship, then you should end things.
“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.
"A break could be any length of time, but past a point, it becomes a 'breakup,'" says Dr. Steinberg. "If you don't want it to be considered a 'breakup,' then the break shouldn't be more than a season, or three months long."
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.
Don't text them first
This includes texting when you specify you don't want communication during a relationship break. Even if your mate texts you, this doesn't mean that you have to text back, especially if you agreed upon the break rules beforehand. Both of you should respect the stipulations enough to follow them.
Taking a relationship break may feel scary, but it can be really helpful for your relationship in the long run. To have a successful, healthy break, it's important for you and your partner to communicate clearly with one another and use that time to reflect and consider your vision for the future.
Any behavior that is different from what has been mutually agreed upon can be considered cheating when you are on a break. And, any actions that violate your partner's trust can also be considered cheating. Whether you're trying to move on or rebuild a relationship, a licensed therapist from BetterHelp can guide you.
There are no rules for breaks. Some people date while they're on them, some people don't.
They are denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, according to Mental-Health-Matters. These are the natural ways for your heart to heal.
Many couples who have called it quits end up getting back together. In fact, a 2013 study found that over one third of couples who live together and one fifth of married couples have experienced a breakup and gotten back together.
Wait 4-6 weeks after the breakup for your ex to text you first. If you're nervous or unsure about whether your ex-girlfriend wants to hear from you, you could wait for her to text you. That way, you'll know for sure she's ready to talk.
What the post-breakup 3-month rule basically means is that all parties previously linked must wait three months before dating again. The reason for this societal dictation is to give the people involved a breather, some lead time, maybe a little room for forgiveness.
The reality is that every couple is different, and all relationships will go through periods that can be tough to manage. For some couples, it may be normal for the relationship to swing back and forth between an on-again, off-again situation. For others, a temporary break can sometimes turn into a permanent split.
In conclusion, it is important to understand that when your girlfriend says she needs space, it does not necessarily mean she wants to end the relationship. However, respecting her wishes and not taking them personally is important.
“If the relationship is starting to feel like, 'I can't fully be myself,' or 'I have to act in a way that is hurtful or makes me feel uneasy,' then it's a sign that something about the way you are operating as a couple is not working, and you might want to consider taking time apart to explore those issues,” says Dr.
"If you and your partner are taking a break from the relationship, it should be exactly that — a break," she explains. Going no contact might sound vindictive or rude, but it's really the best way to embrace your time apart, which is the whole purpose of the break.
You may want to wait at least 30 days before you speak to your ex after a breakup. You might wait longer if you were together for a few years or more and broke up. Often, a few months to a year can be a suitable amount of time to wait for many individuals.
Only do it for the right reasons: Comrie says that taking a break works when you know you still want to be together, but are faced with temporary circumstances that are best faced apart. It has to be a reason that taking a break might actually help you overcome. Don't take a break if you really want to break up.