039: Are Breaks Healthy for a Relationship?

In episode 39 of the Better Relationships Podcast, Dr. Dar Hawks, The Relationship Healer, explores the nuanced topic of relationship breaks and their potential impact on a couple's dynamic. Through a personal anecdote and expert insights, Dr. Dar delves into the seven stages of relationships and how breaks can either be beneficial or detrimental depending on the relationship stage you resonate with and your life circumstances. Dr. Dar begins by recounting a poignant personal story about a past relationship, setting the stage for a comprehensive discussion on the complexities of taking breaks. She introduces the seven stages of relationships: the Googly Eyes stage, the Adapting stage, the Bickering stage, the Stability stage, the Collaboration stage, the Reconnection stage, and the Complimentary stage. Each stage is examined to highlight how breaks can serve as either a self-care strategy or a potential risk to the relationship. Listeners are guided to assess their own relationships, considering factors such as the length of time together, life experiences, and willingness to seek professional support. Dr. Dar emphasizes the importance of clear communication, mutual agreements, and understanding individual needs when contemplating a break. The episode also introduces the Five Sovereign Relationship Needs—Love and Belonging, Freedom, Fun, Power, and Safety and Survival—and how these needs influence the perception and impact of taking a break. Dr. Dar provides practical advice on how to communicate the need for a break, set boundaries, and ensure that the break serves its intended purpose without causing further strain. For those seeking deeper insights, Dr. Dar invites listeners to take the Sovereign Relationship Needs assessment at needs.drdarhawks.com and offers her support through coaching sessions available at drdarhawks.com. Tune in to gain a better understanding of the role breaks can play in nurturing or challenging your relationship, and learn how to navigate this delicate process with empathy and clarity. Support the show Free Relationship Quizzes for you to better understand yourself, your partner, and your relationship - Discover your own primary and secondary Sovereign Relationship Needs? https://needs.drdarhawks.com - Are you ready for a healthy relationship? https://ready.drdarhawks.com - Knowing how to make your relationship the best it can be - https://couplesquiz.drdarhawks.com Book a coaching session: https://huddle.drdarhawks.com Follow me: LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/in/drdarhawks Facebook https://facebook.com/drdarhawks1 Pinterest https://pinterest.com/drdarhawks Instagram https://instagram.com/dr.dar.hawks Send us Fan Mail Support the show If you found your way here, something probably brought you. Maybe you give so much to the people you love, and lately you've felt confused, or unseen, or like you're the one holding most of the emotional weight in your relationship. If that's you, I'm so glad you're here. You're in the right place. This is a space for women who feel things deeply and think things through. Women who want to understand what's really going on in their relationship before they make any big decisions. You're not asking for too much. And you don't have to make sense of any of this on your own. When you're ready, here's where we can begin together: Understand what you need to feel safe and supported → https://needs.drdarhawks.com Explore private sessions with me → https://drdarhawks.com/work-with-me New episodes come out about every other week. And if something here touched you, or even if it didn't quite land, you're welcome to reach out. You can leave a comment on your favorite podcast platform, or, even better, come find me at https://drdarhawks.com. Your questions and your reflections matter here. They're always safe with me.