Signs You and Your S.O. Both Need More ‘Me’ Time

Being in a happy, healthy relationship doesn't necessarily mean being glued to your significant other 24/7. In fact, relationships can benefit a lot from both parties participating in a little "me" time.

Of course, it's not always obvious when you're in the thick of things. Will more time to yourself make things better, or drive a wedge that might tear you apart? If you're feeling unsure, keep reading for signs that some personal time will be a good thing for both of you.

You're Both Drained and Tense

Just because you love spending time together doesn't mean that being with each other every waking moment is good for you. Sometimes, you simply need some time on your own to recharge your batteries and reconnect with yourself and what matters to you. When a relationship is in this drained state, you might both find yourselves getting more irritated with each other than usual, or unfairly lashing out over small things. It's not that you actually hate each other—it's just that you need some time apart to recalibrate and get back to normal. Use that time to practice the self-care routine that's gone neglected, or pursue a hobby that's fallen to the wayside, and you'll see how much it can do for you.

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You're Falling Behind on Important Things

Dedicating time to your relationship is important, but it's not so important that everything else should go undone because of it. Maybe you haven't been keeping up with homework, or your test scores have been dropping because your significant other has been taking priority over important study time. Maybe you've ditched your extracurriculars, or you've left your family or closest friends. When the stuff that used to be important to you gets abandoned, that's a clear sign some "me" time might help you both get back on track.

 

Your Time Together Feels Stagnant

Sometimes, there's nothing more entertaining than doing absolutely nothing with someone whose company you just simply enjoy. When these moments start feeling boring and stale, it's probably time to do something about it. If there are things you'd both rather be doing, but they're not exactly compatible as a couple's activity, that's entirely okay. You're not stuck together in the same routine forever simply because you're dating, and some time apart can make the times together feel more special.

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You're Being Codependent

Just because you're in a relationship doesn't mean that either party should lose their independence. If you ever start feeling like you're bleeding into one personality, and neither of you is sure where one identity ends and the other begins, that's a clear sign that you're both allowing the line to blur.  Any partnership should be a blending of two people and what they want and need. It's about compromise and consensus, so if neither of you feel like you can do anything without the other's help or approval, a little distance might be just what you need to regain your sense of personhood.

 

You're Both Okay With the Idea

Sometimes, communicating the need for time to yourself can be difficult—especially if you're worried about feelings getting hurt. Still, it's an important topic to bring up because you never know if the other person is thinking exactly the same thing and having their own trouble getting the message across. If it winds up sounding like a good idea to both of you, go for it. After all, personal time doesn't mean breaking up or even not seeing much of each other. It simply means scheduling some time to do your own thing.

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Alone Time Won't Mean Drifting Apart

As long as neither of you feels like personal time is a form of being abandoned or ignored, it's healthy and should be pursued. If you're seeing a little too much of each other now, chances are, you're not going to stop being together entirely when you start incorporating more "me" time. Alone time can actually make the time you spend together feel more special. Not only should it feel perfectly natural to jump back into things, but because you've both had a little time to decompress, you'll be able to focus on what's important again.

 

Not sure how to broach the subject? Click HERE for tips on how to gently tell your partner you need some alone time.