my gf and i just decided to go on break tonight. she said she wanted to see how she felt in the time that we dont talk. (i guess to see where her feelings lie?) we have been together about three months. thoughts? is this normal? what to expect? proper "break" etiquette?

She decided it... I wouldn't speak a word with her again.

I suspect this is not the real reason, to see how she feels when you're not talking to her?

And you must endure that? Not sure about this one...

yes. she has been showing declining interest for two weeks. i'm preparing myself to move on, but i still want to see this thing through. i'm not all butthurt about it like a lot of guys would be, a loss is a loss, but she was a really good catch. so im looking at some more versed viewpoints than mine because my relationship game after the first few months has never been good at all. and to elaborate on what was said about the break, she said that if she thought about me or wanted to call me then it would show she still cared and would be enough for her to keep going. im not really looking for anyone to say "itll be okay here is a sucker" im just looking for some pointers on how to proceed because i've never been on a break before, new territory ya know.

She may wanted to break up with you for good and didn't know how to say it. Or maybe not. In any case, no contact at all. Act like you're not together anymore, game other women, don't contact her and see what time brings.
To your question is it normal, I don't know how close you were, what kind of a relationship was it. She may really need the time to see where her feelings lie, or you were going too fast too soon and she got cold feet. Were you needy? 3 months is not a long time. Maybe she has commitment issues. Who knows. Give some more info. Cheers!

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rAFC and yes, I'm a chick.

I have bursts of being a lady, but it doesn't last long.

well we have been on winter break for college and we live in different places so we havent seen each other in person since mid-december. so about a month (1/3) of our relationship was spent apart. but we talk to each other and stuff too. she has been faithful to me and i dont suspect her of any foul play. she knows i care about her more than she cares about me, and how would you define needy?

You say she knows you care more than her, maybe that's the problem. Maybe she feels suffocated a bit. I'm generally against the advice to keep playing games when you're in a relationship. But that's after saying the l-word or really feeling the intention of being together "forever" from both sides. She might have stopped seeing you as a challenge. You two are still in a very fresh phase, still getting to know each other etc. You still have to remain a challenge, a catch, she needs to put some work to have you. Also the time apart must have contributed to her feeling this way, maybe when you see each other again, the spark will come alive. In any case, act like you did when you first got together, remind her what she's missing. Make her doubt you care more than her, make her work for it. For the time being just no contact, she might miss you already in a few days. When you do go back to college, be your social self, happy, upbeat, don't let her see this affected you. How do you feel about this your self?

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rAFC and yes, I'm a chick.

I have bursts of being a lady, but it doesn't last long.

she brought it up because i told her today that i wanted us to get help together. i was at my limit with her being so on and off all of the time. and i have even had to help her get bailed out of jail for stealing twice in one week. talk about relationship strain. everybody i knew was telling me to get out but no, i had to be the guy that gave her a chance because i thought it was a learning experience for her. so she has a lot on her plate already because she has court coming up and stuff. but deep down she is a sweet girl, and she shows it from time to time, the problem is me getting consistency out of her.

This is one easy soloution women are clever yes, But when it comes to something other people want they turn into a child again. Girls want what other people want so your answer is simple... Go out game other girls make her notice that other women want you and your a catch. She'll soon start calling you again.

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The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.

This info changes the picture completely. She actually did you a favor. You're at a point where you shouldn't have to be looking for help together, at this point all should be easy breezy. I'm not even going to go into the fact that she's trouble and you're better off without her, your friends already did that. But inconsistent girls are a pain in the ass, it will drain you so much emotionally that it's not really worth it! My suggestion is to start your new year as a single young man enjoying life. I'm sure you know this your self and can feel it deep down.

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rAFC and yes, I'm a chick.

I have bursts of being a lady, but it doesn't last long.

Nice a loss is a loss, good one.

She will start to miss you if you go no contact, and probably will contact you.

What she thinks or on what action her decision was based is irrelevant.

If she contacts you... I wouldn't answer (mindset: "you lost the price")

That's all you can basicly do... and go out and have fun, to forget about her.