"I need space."

Relationships are only as fragile as your communication skills.

You only worry about yourself for most of your life, and then out of nowhere, you're suddenly thrown into a serious relationship. This relationship requires time, love and sacrifice. And while you do want to spend every waking moment with the person you love most, alone time is vital to your relationship's health.

You don't want to feel obligated to share your plans with your partner, agree to do something they want to just to spare their feelings and you don't want to break up, but you do need space. There are two ways of approaching the "I need space" conversation, and while one will save your relationship, the other will destroy it.

Saving your relationship

Don't walk out the door after saying, "I need space" with no explanation. Explain your need for space, but also your desire to continue the relationship. During this conversation, set a time for the two of you to be together and talk during your temporary time apart.

Your relationship is a flame. If you smother a flame, it will burn out. Give your partner space, but feed the flame with sweet texts and reminders of love. You can be present without always being physically there.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder. You will find that when you give each other space for a time, your reunion will have sparks flying everywhere. When you are apart you realize how much you love and miss being with each other.

Naturally, the space between you will close and your relationship will be more trusting and stronger than ever.

Destroying your relationship

The easiest way to destroy your relationship is by not being honest about your need for space. You might be trying to spare your lover's feelings, but if you are hiding your true feelings, you are already breaking their trust in you.

When you say, "I need space" and leave without explanation, your partner is left confused and might think you want to break up. This confusion will definitely lead to heartbreak, especially if you stop communicating all together. Doing so will indicate that your partner is available to date other people, even if you didn't intend to break up with them. Your neglect or lack of explanation could make them realize they don't care about you as much as they thought.

There are so many ways the words, "I need space" can be interpreted. If you want to see your relationship survive, communicate your feelings thoroughly. Your relationship will grow stronger the more you communicate your needs and desires with your significant other. Space is healthy for your relationship, but how you ask for that space can make or break the bond you have with your partner.