How much personal space do you need in a relationship?

Joanne's FAVORITE answer:

Personal space - what's that?

Joanne's answer:

Hmmmmm....well, I definitely would like MORE than I got with my high school boyfriend (Scott) who would practically have a panic attack if we went more than 18 hours without seeing each other, and I would definitely like LESS than I got with my boyfriend in L.A. (Greg) who was addicted to online roleplaying games and would sometimes go whole weekends without calling me! I think I probably don't need all that much space - maybe one or two nights a week to do laundry, catch up on stuff, and/or hang out with friends. I don't definitely dont like TOO much personal space....JoJo needs a lot of attention most of the time. =P

And the other answers:

I need enough "personal" space to have time to myself. My husband and I live in the middle of nowhere. We ride to work together and are on our property together with no outside distractions or influences 98% of the time. So I need to be able to go off to my computer or out on the porch or deck and just have time for me. It is not unusual for me to go an extended vacation around the country by myself. It gives him time at home to have his space and time for me to have mine and visit with friends and family and not have to be concerned if he's having a good time. That extended space gives him time to miss me. It's a good balance. He allows me what I need and is he there for me if I need company. "Personal space" it's a good thing.

I don't need much personal space, just a few nights a month with the guys and a few nights for myself. The rest of the time I can be with someone else. If I need more time than that, I will just tell the other person(s). I think that is what makes it work, to speak your mind and not be afraid of the other person's reaction. If it is a good relationship, friend or more, then the other person understands the give and take.

Let's put it this way. If I ever get married, I fear I may need my own bedroom. And my own vacations.

I don't think I need that much, just a reasonable amount. But, I am not sure that my husband agrees. I don't think he needs much at all, so the little I need can seem huge to him. Marriage is fun, really. It is not constant work at all. Really.

That is hard to gauge since I'm never in a relationship. Maybe 2 night a week or something as I'm tired of sitting home alone most nights at this point.

A lot… like the entire US of A.

It depends. Physically I need very little. I'm a toucher. Mentally, I definitely need some space to process the world around me. Usually that means a good chunk of quiet time or alone time.

Not all that much. I don't want someone to try to control my mind or watch me poop - but, that doesn't seem like too much to ask.

Every damn ounce I can get!

3 or 4 inches at least.Wow, does it depend on the relationship. I am definitely someone who needs a bit of alone time regularly, when I feel like I am accomplishing things I want to do for me. (A requirement that gets all the more difficult when there are kids in the picture too.) Otherwise, I am a pretty let's-do-things-together kind of guy.

I like quite a bit ofpersonal space. Like all the way from Pittsburgh toMadison, yeah, that's about right. But seriously, Ilike to be able to go out with friends without mypartner or have coffee and read a book by myself or goshopping for an afternoon by myself. I like to dothose things with my guy too, but I need to feelautonomous and that I can satisfy certain things in mylife on my own. Some couples just don't understandthat.