Dear Anna: My boyfriend (32) and I (29) have been living together for three years in what I thought was relationship bliss. Last month, out of nowhere, he suggested that we spend one weekend each month completely apart as “me time” — separate activities, separate sleeping arrangements, minimal contact. He says it’s about “maintaining independence” and that he got the idea in a podcast about relationship longevity. I’m torn because while I understand everyone needs space, it feels like a step backward in our commitment. We both work demanding jobs (I’m in health care, he’s in tech), and weekends are our precious time together. His suggestion came shortly after we started tentatively discussing marriage timelines. I can’t help wondering if this is a red flag, cold feet, or if I’m overreacting to a reasonable boundary. My friends are split — half say it’s healthy, half say he’s creating distance for a reason. How do I know if this is normal relationship maintenance or the beginning of the end? — Minding Empathy & Trust In Messy Experience

News Source : https://www.oregonlive.com/advice/2025/05/ask-anna-is-his-desire-for-more-time-apart-a-big-red-flag.html