The “I need space text message” can mean a billion things.
This can mean that you’re overwhelmed and need time for yourself or that you’re not interested in him anymore.
Thus, if you need this space for your and his good then you need to let him know priorly.
When crafting the text, avoid including words of accusation because that would mean that you’re looking to get out of the relationship.
Here are 15 “I need space” text message examples and extra tips to transmit the needed message to him:
1. “Listen. I love you so much and need you in my life. But, I feel overwhelmed and I need to work on my mental health for a few months.”
If you’ve been dating for a while and you feel like you can’t give him anything good at this moment, it’s better to take a step back and let him know.
Yet, before sending this message, try to give him a few hints that you need to work more on yourself.
That you care about this relationship and if you stay at this moment, your emotional state will
2. “I just need space for a few days to clear my thoughts.”
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from yourself, there is nothing wrong to ask your date or boyfriend to show a little compassion.
Indeed, not everyone reacts to the I need space text the same way.
How he reacts depends on his emotional maturity, the relationship dynamics, and his attachment style.
According to this study, emotional maturity can be defined as giving in difficult situations.
So, if your boyfriend has emotional maturity, he’ll not overreact when he encounters this type of message.
3. “Hey, I cannot hang out constantly during this time. I am having a hard time at work and just need to get myself altogether.”
With this message, you’re letting him know that you’re dealing with internal and external issues at the same time.
It’s not him the problem, but you have this space to detach from everything, to not impact him negatively.
But never send this message out of nowhere.
If you haven’t warned him about your boundaries yet then even though he might understand you, still it might catch him off guard.
4. “The idea of going to the picnic tomorrow is amazing and I love it. But, I just need a couple of days to recharge from everything.”
Needing space and canceling plans when you’re not feeling like doing it should be normalized.
This doesn’t mean that you don’t respect or love him.
You’re only letting him know about your current emotional state and that nothing of this is related to him.
But, if you don’t know how he’ll react and you’re struggling to put your emotions into words then a relationship coach will help you to reflect properly.
5. “I think that I need some space to evaluate our relationship.”
I used to be a part of a situationship and it drained me a lot.
There came a time that a switch flipped and I realized that I need some space just to figure out what I was doing.
Thus, I crafted a text message that would contain my feelings, how I was feeling towards the relationship and my stance.
6. “I am not feeling like myself lately and I have difficulty living in the moment. I need some space just to release the bottled emotions.”
If you want to tell someone you need space without hurting their feelings, start to write how you feel and that your decision is personal.
This type of text is neutral. You’re open with him and don’t turn it into an accusation.
7. “I don’t think that I am doing any good to you right now. I need some space to work on myself.”
If you need some time to focus on your personal growth and you think that will impact him better, then talk with him.
Before sending this type of text, let him know that you like him and everything is fine but you think that you’re not letting him progress.
So, this is a call for him to respect your decision because you’re thinking about the relationship too.
8. “I feel like the relationship has been developing fast and I feel a bit overwhelmed. I just need some space, a week to catch up with myself.”
It’s nothing wrong or embarrassing to let your date or boyfriend know you think you’re at a quick pace.
Not everyone perceives the progression of the relationship at the same time.
Only a toxic date or boyfriend would try to convince you that things are going great but you’re overreacting.
Yet, you should prepare that maybe your boyfriend might not react as you might think.
9. “I know that this might be hard for you to hear and I understand. But, I’ve come to the point that I need space so we can continue to function.”
If you send an I need space text that contains elements of compassion and validation, he will feel heard.
He won’t be afraid that you’re going to change your might or if you just rejected him.
He’ll just wait patiently in peace and will check up on you from time to time.
10. “I do love spending time with you and I do love you. But, I need some space to reflect on where this “relationship” is going.”
If you’ve lost yourself or your values during this relationship then it’s better to let him know.
But, before sending this warning text, if we may call it like that, try to reflect on what’s going wrong.
Tackling the core of the problem isn’t easy especially if you have strong feelings but past trauma is getting in your way.
11. “I don’t want to break your heart and I am dying here watching only you try. Please give me some space to figure this out.”
If you think that he is the only one trying to make it work, you can ask for space.
This time apart will help you to reflect on how you’ve been hurting him and he will reflect on how can you make things work.
12. “I am mad at you right now and I don’t want to hurt you. I need some space to cool down and I will reach out to you in a few days.”
If you had been having a lot of arguments lately, choosing to keep your distance for some time it’s better if you don’t want to end the relationship.
Lashing out the anger sometimes can lead to unwanted consequences such as verbal or physical abuse.
With this message, you’ll let him know that you’re aware of your feelings, situation, and following consequences.
You’re being open and vulnerable and by asking for space, you’ll invite him to participate and share his feelings.
13. “Hey, I just don’t want to lead you on and I need some space to reflect on my feelings.”
Being mixed up while talking to someone is completely fine.
You might have internal things to deal with and maybe you want to make sure that you’re feelings are genuine.
So, being honest with him will give him a glimpse of what you’re future might look like.
If he’s emotionally mature then he’ll realize that you’re not playing with him and will welcome your decision.
14. “These five dates have been the best that I had. But, I still need some space to work on my past trauma. I’m sorry.”
The physician Gabor Mate claims that what triggers past trauma are slight moments that you relive.
For example, if you notice small changes in his behavior, he pulls away a little, and you’re afraid that he isn’t loving you anymore.
Instead of assuming, creating chaos, and choosing to live in a fight or flight mode, you take a step back to work on that issue.
15. “I need space. Like permanently.”
If you have been talking to him for some time to allow you to have some time on your own and he would refuse then it’s time to take a step back.
But, first, reflect and ask yourself this question:
Do you need space to stay on your own or just to stay away from the relationship?
If you need space because you want to stay away from the relationship because of your issues then don’t take an instant decision.
Keep your calm and let him know why you need to spend time on your own.
How to tell my boyfriend I need space?
You can tell your boyfriend that you need space by stating your needs and your feelings in a polite manner.
Here are 7 tips on how to tell someone you need space without hurting their feelings:
1. Before having this talk learn more about his attachment style
You’ll know how to approach him and how he might react only if you know more about his attachment style.
Indeed, it’s not easy to spot his attachment style, especially, if you haven’t spent a lot of time with him in person.
If you’re in a long-distance relationship then you can reflect on how often he called or texted you.
If he has an anxious attachment style then he’ll always initiate texts and contact very often with you and ask for reassurance.
2. Reflect on why you need space
Which is the reason that you want to stay away for a while? Are you not feeling yourself in this relationship?
Are you feeling overwhelmed?
Only, when you know the reason for asking him for space, you’ll know how to utter it.
If you feel that you need space because he’s suffocating you by controlling your feelings and needs, you’ll utter your feelings negatively.
All those suppressed feelings will reflect on how you express them now.
So, before asking him for space without breaking up, try to heal yourself and understand what you want from a partner and yourself.
3. Let him know what you mean by the notion “I need space”
If you know what you mean by saying “I need space”, you’ll reassure him that you still care about him.
Otherwise, if your notion of “I need space” is complex then he’ll be confused and immediately think that you’re breaking up.
Try to write down what you think about I need space. Also, you might talk with a therapist and reflect on what this notion means to you.
4. Give him a proper reason for your distancing
Avoid using justifications such as is not you and it’s me because this will make him even more angry and frustrated
Use direct language and do not mislead him.
You might say something like: I have realized that I am spending more time with you and I just need space to recharge, for now.
No matter what type of soft words you’ll choose to convey your message, it will hurt.
That’s why you need to assure him that you won’t cut contact with him.
5. Try to recognize his feelings too
When you want to tell your boyfriend that you need space, you need to put yourself in his shoes too.
Try to understand why he might be feeling at this moment too and if you’re on the same page.
6. Let him know that this is not a goodbye
Try to reassure him when you state the reason that you need space.
You might not ask him for space just because you feel that way and not tell him how long will it take to recharge.
Especially if you’re in a long-term relationship, try to tell him that you care about him.
7. Accept that he won’t always welcome your decision
Try to not take it personally because you’ll never know how he’ll react.
He might feel like you’re rejecting him or pushing him away. He might think that you no longer have feelings for him.
How he’ll react depends on how you deliver your needs and decision and how compassionate and mature he is.
Why is the “I need space” text message important for the relationship?
The “I need space” text message can impact positively your relationship because it might prevent you from a huge argument or misunderstanding.
Instead of immediately breaking up, you can take time to work on your flaws and create a stronger bond.
I’m not implying that this is always a successful tool to make things work.
But, if during this time when you request space, you work on yourself and talk with a therapist then everything is possible.
On the other hand, other couples don’t need space to make things work. They feel more comfortable being on each other’s side and seek couple therapy.
But none of these methods is wrong. It only depends on what works for you and your boyfriend to reflect on your behavior and progress.
~Another advantage of telling him that you need space is that you get to get in touch with yourself.
Even if he’s supportive and you understand one another, sometimes you just disconnect from yourself.
To get that authentic self back, you can ask him for some space
The dating expert Dorothy Black says that asking for space is a human act, you’re asking to be human in a relationship.
If you’re over-independent then you might it find hard to constantly hang out with him and not do things by yourself.
It’s all about balance and if you keep this balance and communicate your feelings and needs, the rest is easy.
Closing the curtains here! How to ask for space without breaking up?
You need to ask for space without breaking up by speaking honestly about your feelings and why you’re asking for time on your own.
Everyone goes through ups and downs in the relationship or while talking to someone.
To build up everlasting attraction and avoid uncertainty in a relationship, asking for space helps you to fuel the fire.
There’s nothing wrong with taking a short break and reflecting on you and the relationship.
Good luck!
Sincerely,
Callisto Adams
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