Your chest is tight. Your brain won’t stop spinning. Do you send the text…or go silent?
In this episode of Love Shack Live, Staci, Tom, and Brooke unpack what to do when your partner asks for space, and it feels like the beginning of the end.
You’ll hear Mia’s story, why “space” isn’t proof you’re unlovable, and how couples slide into the Default Option (limbo) when they haven’t learned the skills to stay connected under stress. We’ll show you how to shift from pressure to presence, make simple check-in agreements, and get your voice back without pushing your partner away.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
→ What “I need space” usually means (and what it doesn’t).
→ How the Default Option pulls couples apart, quietly, over time.
→ The questions that calm panic and create clarity.
→ How to ask for a weekly check-in (without sounding needy).
→ The difference between pressure texts and presence texts (with scripts).
→ Why feeling powerless kills connection, and how to get your voice back.
Pressure vs. Presence: Real Examples from the Episode
Pressure texts:
- “Hey, checking in again. It’s been 12 hours and I haven’t heard back.”
- “If you don’t want to lose me, you need to figure this out fast.”
- “Whatever. Do whatever you want.”
- “Well, if you really loved me, you’d be showing up differently.”
Presence texts:
- “I know you’re working through a lot. No rush. I’m here when you’re ready.”
- “I want to stay connected. Would you be open to a quick check-in every Sunday?”
- “I need to be honest. I’m struggling with the distance. I’m not here to rush you. I just want to know where I stand.”
- “I don’t need answers right now. I just want to stay connected in a way that works for both of us.”
Timestamps:
04:23 Understanding the Need for Space
05:51 Real-Life Questions from Listeners
07:46 The Illusion of a Perfect Relationship
10:10 Navigating Power Dynamics in Relationships
20:26 Creating Baseline Agreements
25:06 The Dangers of Powerlessness in Relationships
26:35 Understanding Black and White Thinking
27:55 The Importance of Communication and Asking Questions
30:11 Embracing Emotional Nuance
32:00 Client Story: Realizing Personal Responsibility
36:41 Fear and Insecurity in Relationships
40:53 Pressure vs. Presence: A Fun Quiz
44:53 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Next small steps:
- → Take the Surviving Space Self-Assessment to see your patterns under pressure here: https://space-assessment.scoreapp.com/
- → If your results point to limbo, join the 30-Day Roadmap, the place to practice the skills that make reconnection possible here: https://stacibartley.com/30-day-roadmap
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