How do you show support to someone from afar while they need space?

[Anonymous]

I know the best thing to do is to just leave them alone until they reach out first but is there anything else that I can do without crossing any of the boundaries for space?

[GlassTop]

Depends on what happened. They may only need a few days or a month or two. If it’s a death then they may need 2 months. Send them a message or write them a letter saying you are sorry for there problems and you hope they get better and are there for them. There isn’t much to do after that. If they are your partner, message them that you miss them. Be realistic though. If more than two months have passed and they haven’t responded to you, they probably don’t want anything to do with you anymore. Best to move on. They are probably just gonna wallow in their sorrow and depression and they have some growing up to do.

[Asker]

He lost his job and there were some family issues that he has to deal with. I really like your advice, I have indeed texted him just to let him know that I’ll be waiting for him so now I’m just gonna back off and refrain from contacting him

[Anonymous]

I tend to do this often, But if i dont feel like communicating with other or if others are in a position that need space i just do a simple head nod or a gesture to acknowledge them. That way the space is maintained. No one is prying but there is no negative feelings that develop in the process of healing

[Asker]

Exactly, I don’t want to come across as prying but at the same time I want to at least let them know that they’re not alone

[Opinion Owner]

So my example of pry would be and it starts to frustrate me is that when im in an off mood people will ask me what wrong and i would say i need some space and it goes in three ways. One it ends there. Very rare. 2 the ask what wrong and if its about them or if i need to talk they are there and 3 the part i hate the most is when someone asks and then guess what are the reasons. pry is usually guess what could be wrong.

[Asker]

Oh crap that's exactly what I've been doing (I ask him what's wrong and that I'm here if he needs to talk but I'll give him some space, but then I still check up on him once a day and now I think that's not what I'm supposed to do)

[Opinion Owner]

everyone is different mate. Some take longer to healing or overcome their own hurdles. There is a good chance that maybe he appreciated that your worried but its tough to open up and show it. Start with a simple hello and a smile and leave it at that.

[Asker]

Yep I'm working on being less nosy, I checked up on him once yesterday and I think from now on I'll just leave him completely alone until he reaches out to me first. Anyway, thanks so much for sharing your opinion! It's nice that I get to see things from a different point of view

[Account]

I let them be. Apparently, they really don't want my presence if I have been told they need space. So I give them my absence.

I was never needy nor will I ever be.

[Asker]

That’s very true, thanks for sharing!

[PrettyPriya]

You can always write them a message telling them your support for them. Let them know that you are thinking about them and ready to help if they need it.

[Asker]

Should I wait until he reaches out first though?

[PrettyPriya]

I don't think that is entirely necessary. You can write something similar to:

"Hey, I know you are dealing with __________ and need some time to sort that all out. I just wanted to let you know that I support you. If there is anything you need, please let me know. I can be there to listen. Until then, I will respectfully give you the space you need."

[Asker]

That sounds perfect, thank you! You’re awesome!!

[PrettyPriya]

Entirely my pleasure! You can tweak that how you see fit but I think that is completely fine to send to someone. I'm sure they will appreciate the support from you. It is nice knowing someone has your back.

Good luck to you!

[Asker]

I especially like your last sentence so I’m gonna copy that word by word if you don’t mind 😆 but thanks a lot for the help!!

[PrettyPriya]

You are most welcome and I do not mind one bit! It is all yours. 😊

[IMuser]

Send them memes. This will light them up for sure 😂😂 (assuming you can make it straight that the sole reason you have messaged them is for memes and they are free to have their space)

[Asker]

I actually have saved up a couple of memes that I was planning on to send to him lmao but I thought I might end up just crossing his space so Imma go full no contact until he reaches out

[IMuser]

Very well. May i be selfish enough to ask for those memes instead? 👀😂😂

[Asker]

It’s all memes about depression tho lol

[IMuser]

Now i am even more curious 😂😂

[wankiam]

just let them know one time that they are in your thoughts and you will be there for them if they need you... then you just have to be strong yourself and leave them too it

[Asker]

Yep the hardest part is holding myself back from trying to contact them but I’ll try my best to keep myself busy. Thanks a lot for the advice, it’s really helpful!!

[wankiam]

im in a similar place right now with the girl i love so i know how hard it can be

[Asker]

Yeah it sucks… but I bet they’ll appreciate it if we respect their space. Good luck to you!!

[wankiam]

hopefully and good luck in your situation too

[FictionalCharacter]

I just find someone else to talk to, to fill in the void. If they want their space from me (ouch 💔), I find someone else to talk to.

[Asker]

That makes sense, sometimes I think it's also a good thing to get space from each other from time to time so that you don't lose yourself

[Apulu_3]

If they need space then we should give them space because that is how they recover. I will continue confronting them when they reach me out.

[Asker]

Fully agree with you on this, thanks for your opinion!

[Apulu_3]

Your welcome :)

[Phoenix98]

Give them what they need and be supportive and just let them know that if they need you your there for them.

thats really all you can do aside from checking up on them every now and then.

[Asker]

Couldn’t have said it better, thanks for your input!

[Phoenix98]

No problem.

[spartan55]

No, there isn't. Don't do it, it won't get you the desired result, trust me.

[Asker]

Yeah I think it’s best to just let them have the space they asked for 😔

[spartan55]

I want to backtrack a little. I see that you reached out once which is okay in your case. If his reason for needing space had directly to do with you then I would stick with my original opinion.

[Asker]

Yeah I ended up sending a quick text just to check on him but that’s it, it’s been a couple of days of no communication from him tho so I’m definitely going to just back off

[PrettySure]

Just let them know you will be there when they need it and just give them their space until their ready

[Asker]

That’s great advice, thank you!!

[Juliette1994]

Tell them to call me when they need help. Depending how they mean it.

[Asker]

That’s awesome, you’re still showing support without putting any pressure on them. Thanks for sharing!

[Juliette1994]

I mean putting pressure just adds to the stress.

[DangItBobby]

I just want to let you know, no matter what. I’ll be here whenever you need me.

[Asker]

Simple and straightforward, thank you!!

[DangItBobby]

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best, no problem