Whether we like it or not, relationships sometimes go in the tank. They sink like a lead balloon, lending credence to the saying, "What goes up must come down." It is possible to outgrow a relationship. There are many many reasons why this happens.

When one person changes at a pace greater than the other person, it can put a strain on the relationship, and taking a planned break can help save it.

Sometimes ongoing underlying funkiness in a relationship can become too much to bear, and the relationship can blow up over seemingly trivial matters.

In relationships where there has been a difficult power imbalance, the person in the more submissive role tries to see the person with the power in better light than they warrant. When this too-rosy picture begins to dissolve, change begins to happen.

Whatever the reason for needing a relationship break, the holidays can highlight these issues in ways that can't be ignored.

There are two ways to take a break from a relationship, planned and reactive. For example, we have all been in situations where we say, "I have had enough of that person. She is so bossy or selfish or something else. I want nothing to do with her."

Then we cut that person out of our life, or at least try to cut them out of our life. This is harder to do with family members, where guilt and obligation can ruin the best intention to stay away from that person. That's a reactive relationship break.

The problem with reactive relationship breaks is that they involve a whole lot of negative energy within us that we then have to carry around, like buckets of coal draped across our shoulders. The resulting anger and negative energy are great anesthetics to the hurt and pain in our hearts from the relationship, and this will stay put until we deal with it, which we must if we want to lead a happy, healthy life.

Planned relationship breaks can be a useful tool when it becomes obvious that relationship change needs to happen in order to try and preserve the relationship.

These come in a few different forms.

1. Changing your behavior in the relationship in real time, so that the other person has to eventually change in order to relate with you differently. 

2. Taking time away from the relationship for a certain period of time to clarify your feelings, determine what, if any, changes you want to make and to develop a strategic plan for relationship change.

Here are some tips*:

• Take time to reflect and think about what it is about the relationship that isn't working for you anymore.
• Define your own wants and needs in the relationship.
• Try to understand how you may be contributing to the problem.
• Try to make the changes you want by talking with the person first. Use "I" statements. When we use the word "you," the other person always gets defensive. Nobody wants to be told about themselves, even if there is some truth to it.
• Keep your relationship goals in mind, always.
• Understand that most people are just bumbling through life, doing the best they can. Often their difficult behaviors are not malicious in intent.
• Know that grief underlies most relationship changes. Even though people can be aggravating and hurtful, it is often the case that you may miss and long for the relationship.
• Understand that when you change how you have been in a relationship, the other person always tries to get you to stay the same. This is called the "change back" reaction, and you have to hold on tight with your changes until the relationship resets, if it can.
• Remember that change is scary and that is why people resist it. Even though what you have may not feel good, it is familiar. Change means new and different, and that can feel scary in the beginning.
• Get support from trusted friends and family, from a mentor, coach or therapist.
• Make a self-care plan, which could include journaling your thoughts and feelings, going for long walks, taking warm baths.

*If you are in a domestic abuse situation, some of these tips may not be appropriate. Please seek help as you can.

When you've lost that loving feeling take the time to assess, assert and heal.

Click here for more tips on taking a planned break and example letters.

Click here to read Part I in this series.

Click here to read Chris's Tips for Holiday Sanity.

Click here for a good book resource.

Click the link below to listen to Chris read this entry.

Chris Wucherer, a life coach, business coach and psychotherapist, has 28 years of experience helping people create saner lives. She uses a wide array of practical tools, tips and a deep visioning process to help people move forward. Chris firmly believes and practices the principles that saner living makes for great living. She is the Saner Living Guru. Chris writes a blog and has a website. You can reach her at 734-669-7202 or by email.