Taking a Break in a Relationship Rules for Couples of All Ages

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

It’s certainly true to a point. A healthy relationship needs a certain distance to keep the excitement and spontaneity going.

Taking a break from a relationship is a whole different ball game. It’s not like the couple separating for work or school. It is about a deliberate decision to stay away from each other to re-evaluate their relationship and their lives.

Taking a break in a relationship rules does not entail a complete separation between the couples but a temporary break from the marriage to evaluate where you and your partner stand in the relationship.

It sounds like a stupid thing to do, but remember not all relationships are healthy and blooming, there are suffocating and toxic partners too.

What does taking a break mean in a relationship

Taking a break in a relationship rules are not set in stone. They are flexible depending on why you need to separate in the first place. A cool off period is already like walking on thin ice, but one rule is thinner than others. It is when you are allowed to see other people.

Other than that, look at your objectives as a couple. What specific issue are you trying to resolve? Taking a break in a relationship but still talking is possible if it’s in line with your goals.

If the couple lives together, it may be necessary for one partner to move out. It’s useless to take a break in a relationship while still seeing each other every day. Cool off couples needs their space, and it’s not just theoretical emotional space, but also literal physical freedom too.

That is why ground rules are important. So, what are the things to remember while listing out ‘how to take a break from a relationship’ rules?

Here is a list of typical points for discussion –

1. Sex

Taking a break in a relationship rules normally do not include sex outside the marriage.

Couples discuss it in vague terms such as “seeing someone else” or simply “others.” Such terminologies are clearly misleading like why the couple needs to take a break from each other in the first place.

2. Money

There are properties, vehicles, and income that are jointly owned by the couple.

Assuming they are not the cause of the separation but will be a problem if it’s not discussed who owns them during that time.

3. Time

Most couples, often,  neglect to discuss the time constraints on the cool off period. If there is no time limit, then they might as well separate for good, because it is essentially the same.

4. Communication

The goal of taking a break from a relationship is to have space and assess the relationship without your partner influencing your thoughts and feelings. A certain level of communication blackout is necessary, but there should also be a back door in case of emergencies.

For example, if their child is sick and needs both parents resources for medical attention, a mechanism should be in place to “break the break” in the relationship.

5. Privacy

Taking a break in a relationship rules involve privacy.

This is a private matter, especially for cohabiting married couples. They should also discuss the official press release. Will they keep it a secret that they are on a break or is it ok to tell others that they are temporarily separated?

Symbols of the relationship such as wedding rings are discussed to prevent animosity later. This is helpful when the couple decides to talk about their relationship if they are willing to continue living together or permanently breaking up.

There is no straightforward definition of a break in a relationship. The rules and goals you set define what it means for you and your partner. Make sure the rules are in line with those goals.

If you want to take a break from each other without a clear-cut reason, then take a short vacation.

There is no need to break-up unless one of you is already committing to infidelity.

How to take a break in a relationship without breaking up

A cool off period or a relationship break only works if the couple stays as a couple.

If one party insists that sex with other people is part of the deal, then they are looking to find an infidelity loophole and already have a plan or person in mind.

It’s a story of wanting to have their cake and eat it too. If that is the case, then the person who wants (or already) to allow sexual relations with other people while staying together still sees value in keeping the relationship.

Otherwise, they would just ask for a divorce and be done with it.

On the other hand, what is the point of forcing someone to stay in a relationship when they desire someone or something else? If there are children and both partners still see the value in the relationship, then it might be worth it to keep trying.

All couples go through a rough patch and taking a break in a relationship rules is one way of getting over that hurdle. But it is an extreme solution that may further drag the couple apart.

Since a break in a relationship is considered trial separation, try to separate your assets and responsibility amicably. If you do end up living separate lives, saving money on divorce lawyer fees will help once both of you live apart.

It is cheaper to live in one household than two, and separation is a big expense.

Once the time limit has expired and one or both partners are still not comfortable with staying together, then it may be necessary to permanently break up. There is no point in holding each other down, and instead of having the best of both worlds, the couple ends up with the worst of it.

Temporary breakups have more to offer

While considering taking a break in a relationship rules, it is important to understand that the rules itself is the key. If they are not going to be followed, then there’s really no point to continue on further.

It is a temporary measure and hopefully a solution to your relationship problems.

However, if the temporary breakup is more beneficial for the couple than staying together, then it’s a sign that it’s better for the couple to permanently separate while they still have a civil relationship.

Taking a break in a relationship rules are basic guidelines which teach couples to try and stay together by giving them a taste of the alternative.

If the alternative is giving the couple more productive lives, then that is the solution to their problems. Hopefully, that is not the case.