Has your man told you he “needs time” or “space”?
Are you wondering what this innocuous catchphrase even means?
Does he actually want to break up? Is he letting you down gently? Or is he planning to come back to you once he’s cleared his head?
The answer is: it depends. However, I am hoping that I can help you understand your personal situation with the guide below.
Below, you’ll find 11 explanations of what a man actually wants when he tells you he “needs time”.
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This’ll often reveal a lot of truths about what a man really wants when he says he needs time.
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With that said, let’s now take a look at my list of possible explanations for what’s going on in this guy’s head.
Table of Contents
Every relationship has got moments where you both have different opinions and you will rather die on that hill, than side with your partner. It may not even matter how much sense you are making. But whenever there is an argument, and tension is rising, it is likely you may hear “I need some time” from a guy.
He may be saying, I need a time-out from this argument, “Why are we even arguing?” The space he may need time will give him time to think on your side of the argument. It is why in some relationships, a man may use the “I need some space” line, especially during an argument, then return with something sweet for his lady—sometimes, with an apology.
So, you should know that during that time-out, he thought hard and true about your side of the argument and decided that you had a valid point.
Sometimes, a guy just wants his space and it is nothing personal. Everyone gets tired of anyone being too much in his/her space at some point. It is human nature, and I am sure you may have felt that at some point about anyone being too much in your space. So, when your guy says he needs space, give him his space.
It is very possible that when your man says he wants space while you two are in the relationship, he wants to process what is happening. It is likely that things may have gotten very serious, and he may be scared about the direction the relationship is taking. So, when he says he needs time, it is a moment of self-reflection for him.
This is because being committed will come with responsibilities and sacrifices, and he needs time to know if he can do all that.
Another possible reason a guy will say he needs time is that he is losing interest and wants to end the relationship. It could be that for some time, the relationship has not been so great. Every relationship goes through that phase. However, your reaction when your boyfriend says he needs space can determine whether your relationship is over or not.
If your relationship is characterized by constant arguments, lack of trust, no emotional connection, less physical intimacy, then these are red flags you ought to pay attention to. So that when your guy says he needs a break from the relationship, you wouldn't be taken aback, but instead know how to go about saving the relationship. And if you are still interested, there would be no breakup.
Usually, when men get close to a woman, and it looks like dating may be in the picture soon, it is easy for them to get confused. Does he really like the woman enough to be in a relationship with her? Is he sure he wants her? Perhaps, he just got away from a bad marriage and isn't over his ex-wife. He probably doesn’t even want to be in the dating scene.
All these questions may be running through his head and these are valid reasons to want some space, especially when sorting out his emotions. The next thing is that he may request a break from the relationship.
Sometimes, a guy may talk about needing a break because he is not sure his love is being reciprocated. This means he needs to be convinced that he is needed in the relationship. Every relationship is a give-and-take deal. If he feels like he is giving too much and not taking too. It's enough to hurt him.
So your boyfriend would want to take himself out of the relationship so that he can make a proper judgment about this. If he is convinced this is the case, it may form the basis of a break-up, if not, he may come back to you.
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Another reason a guy says he needs time is that he wants to be himself again. It is very likely that he doesn't feel like himself anymore by being in a relationship, and would need time to adjust. So for instance, he has a routine he works with each day, but because you two are dating, he may not be adequately living out his normal routine.
Not everyone handles change easily, so as a lady you ought to see these signs and understand when he says he is in need of a break.
So, what does it mean when a guy says he needs time? Guys are known to focus on one thing at a time, rather than women who know how to multitask. It could be possible that he may personally be going through some issues, for example, dealing with an ex.
Your man will need the necessary time to deal with the problems associated with the ex. Maybe she wants him back, but he likes you.
He might be thinking, should he rekindle an old flame, or start a new one? He would have to consider because an ex may also mean a lot and come with memories, stories and a lot of history, however, a new girl means a fresh page altogether. For him to make a decision, he would need space so that he can sort out and make his choice.
In all healthy relationships, each couple takes time away from each other to recharge. This is because, in a healthy relationship, one partner is not dependent on the other solely for his/her happiness. This would encourage possessiveness and jealousy, which in the long run, could affect the confidence you both have in each other.
So yes, it is a normal thing to even give your boyfriend that time he needs to himself.
Sometimes, when a man says he needs time, it's very possible that he could be cheating, either with his ex or someone else. In order not to feel guilty about it, he has come to the conclusion that he may need some time away.
Technically, staying away means you are not really in a relationship. He may not state the reasons for his decision, but you also need to be on the lookout for those red flags.
I guess every lady is quite conversant with the alpha nature of every guy which is to always be in charge of every situation and to solve issues alone. They want to solve every problem they encounter. And the result? They get tired and stressed out.
Men do not like to talk about their problems. They see asking for help as a weakness because a “man” should be able to solve his problems without his girlfriend or wife interfering. It has been proven that women handle problems in a healthier manner when mental health is concerned. This is because women like to talk about what is bothering them.
Men, on the other hand, will rather withdraw and try to tackle the problem, along with the stress he is going through. So, they would rather isolate themselves to deal with whatever problems he may be going through too. So in short, it might have absolutely nothing to do with you when a man says he needs space.
When a man says he needs time to think, don't stand in his way. Also, don’t tell him what to do or guilt-trip him. Rather, encourage him to take all the time he wants, and try to do the same.
According to experts, some guys cannot handle stress, especially when it is linked with understanding people's feelings. So yes, some men need time to process their emotions.
A guy who is confused about his feelings for you will exhibit the following: he makes excuses to talk to you, he is jealous when you are with other guys, he is in denial of his feelings for you, he is very protective of you, and he is always staring at you.
The following signs mean that your relationship is over: there is no emotional connection, there is no physical intimacy, and there are constant arguments. Also, one party might find the company of others more appealing than what you both have. There is also a lack of trust and your targets no longer align.
It is okay to text him if he needs space but it should not be constant. He needs space so respect and honor that. However, it is okay to miss him and check once in a while without imposing on his needed space.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article on ‘’What does it mean when a guy says he needs time”. Understand that giving your guy space in a relationship is an absolute need. Sometimes, don't even give him a chance to ask. However, you should be sure that is what he needs at that particular moment before you give it to him.
Also, learn to read the room where your conversation is concerned, so that you would have to deal with any unnecessary disappointment and heartache.
Let me know your feedback in the comments, and kindly share this article.
Utilize this tool to verify if he's truly who he claims to be
Whether you're married or just started dating someone, infidelity rates have risen by over 40% in the past 20 years, so your concerns are justified.
Do you want to find out if he's texting other women behind your back? Or if he has an active Tinder or dating profile? Or even worse, if he has a criminal record or is cheating on you?
This tool can help by uncovering hidden social media and dating profiles, photos, criminal records, and much more, potentially putting your doubts to rest.
