Situation · Partners and dating
“He says he needs space all the time”
What could be going on
Dismissive-avoidant attachment: Check whether he values independence and finds closeness tiring in all his relationships.
Deactivating strategies: Fits if he asks for space right when feelings or closeness intensify.
Introversion and extraversion (Jung's original sense): Could be an ordinary need to recharge; check whether he returns warm and engaged.
Fusion versus intimacy: He may fear losing himself in the relationship; check whether he guards his own time fiercely.
Burnout: Check whether he's depleted by work or life and has little left for anyone.
Ambivalence: Fits if 'space' keeps growing and plans for the future have stopped.
Questions to carry
- The last time he asked for time alone, what had the days before been like for him?
- When he goes off alone, what do I feel, and what do I imagine it means about me?
Also said as
- my boyfriend always wants alone time
- she needs space after we spend a weekend together
- why does my partner keep asking for space
- he says I'm too much
- my partner keeps saying he needs time to himself
- she always wants time apart