I (27M) have been dating my girlfriend (25F) for about a year now. Things started out really amazing — we clicked instantly and spent a ton of time together. But over the last few months, it feels like we’re together almost every single day, and it’s starting to get overwhelming. I’m someone who needs a bit of alone time to recharge, and lately I feel like I barely get a minute to myself.

Last week, after she suggested we move in together, I finally told her that I needed a little more space. I tried to be as gentle as possible, explaining that it wasn’t about not loving her, but just about needing time alone sometimes to feel like myself. I thought she would understand, but she got super upset and said that if I really loved her, I wouldn't feel the need to "escape."

Since then, things have been kind of tense. She’s been distant and passive-aggressive, and a few of her friends even hinted that I was "emotionally neglectful." Now I’m second-guessing everything — I don’t want to hurt her, but I also don't want to lose my sense of self completely just to make a relationship work.

I honestly thought asking for healthy space was normal in a relationship, but maybe I was wrong? AITA?