RELATIONSHIPS
What To Consider Before You Take A Break In Your Relationship
By AMANDA CHATEL
Evaluate The Reason Why
The first step in a relationship break is to evaluate all of the reasons you and your partner feel like you need time apart. Whether you have fallen into unhealthy patterns or want to turn your energy towards your career or education, it’s important to be on the same page with your partner.
What Will The Break Mean?
A break doesn’t have to lead to a breakup if you’re clear with each other about what the break means and what you both plan to do during that time. Per Anita Chlipala, LMFT, “it may be difficult to see things objectively” when you’re in a relationship, so taking time to reflect can help you better appreciate your partner and yourself.
Set Some Hard Rules
As Berit Broggard, D.M.Sci., Ph.D., explained in Psychology Today, the rules you have already established for your relationship shouldn’t change. So if you and your partner are monogamous, this isn’t the chance for a Ross-style slip-up unless that’s something you and your partner decided would be okay.
Exercise Discretion
Friends and family don't always like our partners (even if they won't dare say it to our faces) so it really is best to keep the break to yourself. It's so easy for people to tell us what they really think when we've broken up with someone and the last thing you want is tension in your inner circle when your break is over.
Use The Time Apart Wisely
Once you’ve started the break, your time is now completely your own, so it’s important not to let the opportunity to work on yourself pass you by. If done properly, a break can breathe new life into a relationship, and sometimes relationships worth fighting for just need a bit of space before they can fully flourish.