March 24, 2026

"My Partner Wants to Take a Break. What's Next?"

47 minutes

In this solo episode, Dr. Alexandra will be exploring the topic of taking a break from your relationship, which was inspired by a listener email. First, she will talk you through some very specific and perhaps surprising reasons that taking a break is so difficult, with the support of some research. Then you will hear Dr. Alexandra’s Seven-Step Best Practices for a structured or therapeutic separation, with consideration for Before, During and After the Break.

Resources worth mentioning from the episode:

The Lived Experience of Ambiguous Marital Separation: A Phenomenological Study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7383873/

“It’s complicated’’: The continuity and correlates of cycling in cohabiting and marital relationships: https://extension.usu.edu/hru/files/Vennum-et-al-2014-Relationship-cycling-and-outcomes.pdf

Establishing links between relationship cycling, relational stress, and well-being: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02654075251378864

Reimagining Love episode, How to Get Closure After A Breakup - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-get-closure-after-a-breakup/id1588419386?i=1000603123829

Reimagining Love episode, Dealing With Breakup Regret - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dealing-with-breakup-regret/id1588419386?i=1000604088930

Reimagining Love episode, "I'm Thinking About Getting Back Together With My Ex." (Part One) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/im-thinking-about-getting-back-together-with-my-ex-part-one/id1588419386?i=1000607309489

Reimagining Love episode, "I'm Thinking About Getting Back Together With My Ex." (Part Two) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/im-thinking-about-getting-back-together-with-my-ex-part-two/id1588419386?i=1000608341518

Reimagining Love episode, Conscious Uncoupling: Divorce as an Ending, Not a Failure with Katherine Woodward Thomas - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conscious-uncoupling-divorce-as-an-ending-not/id1588419386?i=1000650466142

Reimagining Love episode, The D Word: An Empowering Approach to Divorce with Kate Anthony - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-d-word-an-empowering-approach-to-divorce/id1588419386?i=1000642611274

Continue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:

Ask a question! Submit your relationship challenge: https://form.jotform.com/212295995939274

Access Resources, like quizzes and courses: https://www.dralexandrasolomon.com/resources

Order Dr. Alexandra’s book, Love Every Day: https://bookshop.org/p/books/love-every-day-365-relational-self-awareness-practices-to-help-your-relationship-heal-grow-and-thrive-alexandra-solomon/19970421?ean=9781683736530

Cultivate connection by subscribing to Dr. Alexandra’s Loving Bravely newsletter: https://newsletter.dralexandrasolomon.com/

Learn more on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexandra.solomon/

Join Esther Perel's annual clinical conference Sessions Live 2026! Learn in person in Brooklyn, New York or virtually on May 15th and 16th. Use code SOLOMON50 for $50 off a virtual ticket or SOLOMON100 for $100 off in-person. Get your tickets at https://sessionslive2026.estherperel.com/

Learn more about the Options Transition to Independence Program which offers education, vocational, independent living, and emotional support for young adults with complex learning needs. https://www.experienceoptions.org/

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By Dr. Alexandra Solomon

4.9

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