How to Give Your Partner Space without Being Distant

There are days when you get clingy to the person you love. There are also days when you need time for yourself.

It’s natural for this to happen in a relationship. However, not being able to manage your time might cause a few problems. You might create some distance between yourself and your partner. You might also feel overexposed in each other's company.

The best way to approach this is to be aware of each other’s level of comfort, then compromise. It’s sure to help get a few problems out of the way and strengthen the bond between you.

It’s near impossible to find the perfect middle ground without making any mistakes. You wouldn’t like to make it seem like you’re acting distant, nor would you want to seem clingy either.

This is when you have to do a bit of reading. It’s going to take a lot of work to find the perfect balance. Still, it’s very much achievable.

To keep your relationship happy and healthy, here are a few ways you can give your partner space.

1. Always ask your partner if they’re up for the occasion.

Sometimes, no one feels like going out. Even if they promised to hang out or go on a date with you, their minds are bound to change.

A lot of things can happen in between. Rough days at work, family problems or they don’t simply feel like it.

It’s nothing personal at all, and you don’t have to feel like you’re at fault. To deal with this, you should reaffirm your plans with your partner.

Before actually going out, it’s best to ask your partner if they still want to push through. It might seem kind of foolish to ask again, but it gives your partner another chance to back out just in case.

Your partner will appreciate you looking out for them.

2. Drop the routines that aren’t working.

Are your Friday movie nights not as fun as they used to be? Then it’s time to find another pastime.

There’s no use forcing yourself and your partner to do activities together that aren’t enjoyable anymore. Otherwise, it’ll seem like a chore to you. You eventually grow out of the things you like, and it no longer elicits the same reaction.

If there’s anything that you or your partner would like to try, pitch it. A change of pace may just be what you need to bring back the feeling of excitement.

That doesn’t mean that you immediately have to change routines, though. Maybe you need to take a break from it once in a while. If you still enjoy the things you and your partner do when you get back to it, then there’s no reason to drop the routine.

3. Offer to do chores in their place.

Imagine coming home to a pile of dishes and dirty laundry. After a rough day, you would naturally dread doing these chores. You just want to get yourself some shut-eye and snooze for the night.

Now put your partner in this position. After a hard day at work, they too want to get some rest. They don’t have the energy to do anything more.

While it’s not necessary to help your partner with the chores, it does get a load off their shoulders. It also makes their place serene and suited for relaxation.

Only do this whenever you have spare time and don't forget to inform your partner beforehand. Anyone would be surprised to see their dishes done and their Roomba turned on. You wouldn’t want to give your partner a scare.

4. Don’t make your partner feel obligated to return favors.

People often do favors they can cash in later. It’s how people get their way around the world.

In relationships, however, you should do and give unconditionally. You do it because you want to, not because you are obligated to or coerced. That’s how love works.

Grand gestures of love can often pressure people to return the same favor. If you do have one planned out, it’s best not to make a fuss out of it. It’ll make your partner feel pressured.

Treat it as though it’s only natural for you to do so. Your partner will surely understand the sentiment.

If not, you might find yourself counting those favors and expecting your partner to return them.

5. Find your own interests.

Got anything you’ve always wanted to do? Why not give it a try?

You don’t always have to like the same things to keep your relationship afloat. You and your partner are your own persons, so it’s given you also have your own interests.

While your partner is doing their own thing, you have to find ways to occupy yourself. Not only are you making time for yourself, but you give your partner some air to breathe as well.

It’s a win-win!

When you get back to each other, you’ll feel a lot more confident to face each other.

6. Hang out with your friends.

An effective way to give your partner space is by going out with your friends.

Being too reliant on your partner’s company can suffocate them. Though you love your partner, they’re not the only one in your life — you have your friends too!

Everyone needs to hang out with their friends once in a while. You might be neglecting your social life in exchange for your romantic life. While it isn’t entirely bad, it can be unhealthy.

Balance is always the key when it comes to your personal relationship, whether it’s a friend or a partner. Your partner may mean a lot to you, but your lives don’t always have to revolve around each other.

Putting It into Practice

You might have done these things already. If so, then keep up the good work. If not, then you better start working on it.

Once you find the perfect balance between the time you have for your partner and yourself, it’ll be much easier to manage your relationship.