‘I need space’

“I need space” are three words people who are deeply in love dread in relationships. Sometimes you may miss the warning signs that your partner is unhappy, and these three words may come as a shock. This, especially as they are usually synonymous with an imminent break-up.

Below, readers share what their reaction would be to someone they are in love with suddenly asking them for space.

Stephen:

Personally, my big ego would just cause me to say, “You know what, have your space”. On the other hand, any reasonable person would first seek to get an explanation as to what might have triggered this feeling. Is it something I have said or done or are you just at a place where it’s really just how you feel?

Hanif:

I don’t think giving the person space if she asks for it is wise. I might think about all the things I have done wrong.

If she’s making an excuse to leave then I’ll just let her go because I don’t think there’s anything I could do to make her change her mind.

Caribbean Beauty:

I would feel it because I would have other thoughts like, “He might need space and just break up with me, or he wants the space to abandon me without letting me know it’s over.”

Alexia:

I would blame myself because I’m insecure. He couldn’t go without telling me why though. I would flood him with questions and I would probably think I’m not good enough.

David:

It would cause me to reflect and examine the whole relationship, to see if I ignored a few warning signs. It would cause me to question everything to find answers. I would start to look at worst-case scenarios and brace myself for a break-up.

Mikel:

I would be shocked. I would begin to think about the reasons behind the decision. I would be interested in the motive. I  would want to know whether or not they were having an affair because it’s the most natural reason behind such a decision.

Pepawn :

I would move on because I know that wanting space is a decent way to say, “Later baby!”