Quote Originally Posted by basilandthyme View Post
A 'break' means that he wants to end the relationship, but lacks the courage to do so. He'd rather leave you sitting, waiting in the wings than make a clean end.

The best way to regain your sanity is to take control of the situation: Refuse the break. Tell him that you're not going to wait around on the sidelines while he dithers about. If he doesn't 100% want you, then end things yourself.

And find out why you kept smothering him. This will continue to plague future relationships.
this is very good advice. I would take it a step farther though. When someone asks for a break, not only should you refuse the break, but you need to break up with them. They played a weak hand with this "I need a break" nonsense which is just a cowardly way to get out of a relationship. By refusing the break and then breaking up with them you are taking control of the situation. I've done this before and had the person that was asking for a break come back asking to get back together.