Trial Separation Checklist: The Must-Have Guide Before Taking a Break

Trial separation. The phrase alone makes your stomach drop. You’re not sure if it’s a step toward healing or the beginning of the end. I’ve been there. So have thousands of others. And if you’re reading this, you probably have a million questions.

“How do we do this right?”

“What if one of us wants out for good?”

“Is there a way to make this work?”

Here’s your trial separation checklist/worksheet.

Straight. To the point. No fluff. Just real talk about what you need to do before you pack a bag and walk out the door.

1. Get Clear on the Goal

Ask yourself: Why are we doing this?

A trial separation isn’t just “taking space.” It needs a reason.

Are you trying to fix the relationship? Or are you just delaying a breakup?

Here’s what happens when you don’t have a clear goal: One person thinks it’s a pause. The other thinks it’s a quiet exit. That mismatch? It leads to resentment, confusion, and ugly fights.

Example: Tom and Linda thought separating would help. Tom used the time to reflect. Linda assumed they were done and started dating. It got messy, fast.