When a spouse/lover/friend etc. is too close, you might say "I need some breathing room". It means, I think you are wonderful, but we are spending so much time together that I can't think. I need to do something on my own for a little while."

Hi! This means some kind of a time-out or a pause when, for instance, you had too much going on and you need a 'breathing room/space' to relax and to look at the problems with the clear mind (respiro in Italian? )