What are the rules of the engagement when you are on a “break” from a relationship? Do you consider yourself single, but want it duly noted that you still have feelings for your ex? Do you continue to spend time with each other without the label? When do you decide when the break is over? Emotionally draining and complicated, a relationship break smells like a break ups to me.
If someone told me they wanted a break from me, I would take this to mean they didn’t want to see or hear from me in the forseeable future. Or worse, I would take this as a message to please hold until further notice.
Can you please hold so I can make sure I want to be with you? Can you hold so I can be positive there is not someone else out there I’d rather spend time with/have sex with/shower with love and adoration? It could be you, it’s a possibility, you consolation prize, you.
No thanks.
If my boyfriend wanted to potentially give someone else a whirl, why would I continue to invest feelings into something that he intentionally wanted to break? Can a break be considered a healthy step in a relationship? Maybe it really has worked for someone in the past, which if so, can that person please speak up?
It could just mean some space to breathe and reevaluate. It could mean a realistic approach to a relationship that has become so serious that brakes need to be temporarily applied. It could be an evaluation of where the relationship is headed and if forever is a tangible concept.
It could be. But, is could enough?
Author: Courtney Hartmann
