Space - Good or Bad For A Relationship?

Space in a relationship is often a critical issue, many times making or breaking the partnership. While some people need a good deal of space, others prefer to be around their partner all the time, and do everything with him or her.

If you and your partner have similar space requirements, things should go very smoothly. But if there is a big gap in that department, it can set you up for many arguments and a good deal of hurt. It's also important to note that space requirements can change as the relationship evolves.

In the early stages, it is pretty normal for two people to want to spend a lot of time together. As the relationship gets more into the long-term, you might like to have a night out with pals, or join some activity that your partner doesn't necessarily enjoy.

The conflict can start to arise when one party decides that he or she would now like a little more space since you've been together for a while, but the other party still wants to spend the majority of his or her time with his/her partner. This can make the latter feel rejected, and insulted, which can actually make him or her get even more clingy and resentful of the space you are requesting.

When it comes to this, it's hard to find a good compromise. As one person becomes more insistent of having space in a relationship, the other begins to feel threatened, and possibly thinks that his or her partner has fallen out of love, or is with someone else, or just prefers to spend time with his or her friends. As with anything, communication is the key to resolving this kind of issue.

If you are the person who needs a lot of space, make sure that you also tell your partner how much you love him/her and how much you like to spend time with him/her. Tell them that the space has nothing to do with any negative feelings towards him or her. It's just a part of your personality.

If you are the person who doesn't particularly want to ever be too far away from your partner, you can also express this to him or her. But you may also try going out for a night with friends while your partner is out with his or hers. Whatever you decide to do, do not sit at home or do nothing when your partner is out with friends or fishing on his own.

And, no matter how you feel, you will need to accept the fact that your partner needs space in order for your relationship to work. If you can't accept it, you may need to go elsewhere. This goes for the space-seeker as well. If you do not like the fact that your partner requires too much time of you, then it may be time to re-evaluate the relationship.

Take a look at your space in a relationship and where you are at in the space spectrum.