What does it mean when a guy wants to take a break but doesn't want to break up?

[Anonymous]

My boyfriend recently told me he wants to take a break, but he's assured me that he does NOT want to break up. There's a lot of stuff going on right now in my life that is affecting him, and he says he wants to take a break while it blows over. However, I've always thought of "taking a break" as an official break up. He's been distant lately too, and I have thought in my mind that something like this would happen. Please help!

[lala_rose]

Heyy sweety! I was in the exact same situation as you and he wanted a break.. But look would this break make things better? No. And I didn'T want him to play with me so I just said to him I want to break up. It's the best thing...

It was a really hard thing to do because I loved him and I always feel something for him but it helps because I don'T see him cause he lives far away.. And he even told to me that he wanted to see me in 2- 3 months.. anyways breaking up with him was the best thing to do ! then having a break and waiting for him , hurt.. You havee to sometimes decide what is better at the end.. why is there a break in the relationship? its not for nothing.. if its at the point where you should have a break then it's better to have a breakup! And you should do it to show him that NO ONE SHOULD PLAY WITH YOUR FEELINGS! Girls are stronggg :) and he doesn't deserve youu

Take caree xxx

[thelittlethings]

A break up is his way of keeping you around and all to himself while he f***s around and decides if he really wants you or not. So you'll either sit around and wait and he'll decide he wants you back, you'll get back together but the relationship will never be the same again, because how could it be after he hurt you like that? Or you'll wait around and he'll decide he doesn't want you and break your heart even more. Just get out of there. He'll only hurt you.

Listen to the song "Leave the Pieces" by the Wreckers.

[Tamikaze]

It means he wants his cake and to eat it too. By now you know what he meant by this. It isn't really great that someone who should help you through stuff has to take a break from you rather than support you. He probably is just playing it safe, not wanting to set you loose to date and then lose you but keeping his options open to consider single life.

[Fading]

I've done this to my girlfriend before, and I felt like a total dirtbag afterwards. He's asking to take a break so that he can be with another girl without officially "cheating" on you. That's why he's been so distant, he's probably been bothered by not being able to date another girl and wants to get that nagging feeling out of his head by sleeping with the girl or at least dating her without completely ruining the relationship with you. Once the break is over he can get back with you like nothing ever happened. I'm really sorry, but I'm speaking from the point of view of the guy you're wondering about and I believe this is most likely the reason. I hope I'm wrong, it's something I wish I had never done and he'll probably feel the same way when it's over too.

[wanacot]

Everyone has a different definition of "taking a break" in a relationship. But, in all the relationships I've been in and seen my friends go through, I have never once seen a relationship where they needed to "take a break" last long term after the "break". I'm sure there are cases out there to prove me wrong, but from what I've seen it's an early warning sign for a doomed relationship.

[jaynasty]

just what it is a break... here's where teh confusion comes in can you hook up with toerh guys? can he hook up with other girls? if you have good trust in your relationship I would talk to him about it and come to an understand about the sex and seeing other people...now he might want a beak because maybe you two have been to close day in day out and he hasn't jsut had his space...also could be because he's bored...give him his space after you come to an understand and if you think he's bored after you give him his space for a while surprise him with new things new activites do some of the things he likes new things sexualy make him feel excited and anxious to see you because your not crowding him and your doin gnew exciting things to/with him

[pejota]

its really important that you take the break seriously and try your best not to worry about what he's doing. if you're taking a break you really should talk to other dudes, even go on some dates. I had a girl pull that break sh*t once but I saw through it, I don't know what the case is with you or what's going on, but there is a chance that he's, for lack of a better term, tired of the relationship and wants to mess around. whatever you do nottt dwell over it 24/7 stay as busy as possible, you'll feel terrible if this guy and this break cause you anxiety and sadness

[kdizzleforizzle91]

I think when a guy says he wants to take a break but not break up, it means just that. He obviously still cares about you, or else he would break up with you. He just needs a little space so you can both have some "alone time" without completely ending your relationship.

[MadHatterni]

taking a break is a freash breath of air, maybe he felt constricted and wanted to fly around a bit. yeah if he wants the status he isn't going to go else where because if he wanted a serious break he would of cut all communcation and said his farewells but he's hoping to be like a kite and fly back to you

[TommyJames]

the same as when a woman says it, more than likely it's over. I'm not sure why people even take breaks. Most often it doesn't continue to work after a break. The flame is gone. When I was younger (18), I said the same thing, so I could fool around and not "cheat". A selfish thing to do, I know, but a young mind often is naive and cruel.

[firehotemily]

it means give him some space to breathe

he needs to be alone to think some things out, he wants to cool down and get things straight.

And that means that you should just back up a bit.

[MmarkK]

Well, here's what can happen:

#1: He realizes he doesn't love you anymore, and you break up.

OR

#2: He realizes he really does need you, and you come back stronger than before.

Whether you're willing to wait is up to you.

[ilean]

let him breathe... if you're afraid you'll loose him then it is what it is and move on.