What does it mean when a guy say's that he need space?

ok here is the situation: there is this guy that ive been in love with since the 1st day that ive met him.we were friends for 3 yrs. and then we dated. and then like 8 months after we've dated.he broke up wit me. but we still remained friends. but i still had feelins for him. so i told him how i felt. now he's tellin me that he needs space. he said he's not cutting me out of his life but he just need some space.what ever the **** that means. how could he do this to me. i ve been down for him for too damn long just to throw it all away like that. i miss him so much it's driving me crazy help me?????????

well, it just simply means that he is really not in to you like you are in to him .. he just doesn't feel the same way as you do. sorry to break it to you , but this guy has other stuff on his mind. therefore, you should accept the fact that he just wants to be friends with you and nothing more. it's nice to know that he still would want to have you in his life as his friend,.. who knows, maybe you are indeed better off as friends. be good to him and be a true friend to him. you will never know if the feelings he had for you will eventually grow back since he still wants you in his life. but the thing is, this guy needs some space so it means that he wouldn't have to do anything with being more than just friends with you. it just probably means that he wants to explore more of his world and therefore, he wants you to be there for him as a good friend.i know it's hard for you, and i empathize you. it is indeed frustrating to have him to do this to you since you;ve been together for quite a long time. so, just respect him. give him the space that he wants.. it's just maybe because he wants some time to think and maybe he is in to another girl or something else. men who need space have a lot on their mind. so, women just have to respect that. he's probably just got a lot on his mind right now. what you should do is to leave him alone for a while and just make him be the one to come to you. i mean, just let him be. just wait for the time for him to ask for your help, company, etc. try to control your feelings for him so that you won't get hurt as much. try to entertain yourself or keep yourself busy with other things/friends, etc. .. if he is really meant for you to be more than just a friend, well then good. he will just come to realize it especially if you give him space or a life of his own. he will realize how important you are when you are not in his life that much anymore. coz you see, people tend to realize the essence or importance of a friend, a lover, or a special person... when they are not around anymore. they tend to miss you, your company., and everything about you.
so, just respect his so -called "i need some space thing"... instead, be just a good friend to him. control your feelings when he is around you. make him feel that even after what he did to you, you are still there for him. he will come to realize it eventually, that you are indeed a true and real friend. don't show too much emotions on him so as not to make him feel awkward around you. so that he can express himself to you freely... just give it time. things like things happen most of the time. no one can really tell as to what will happen. so, just be patient. soon enough, you will just lose that feeling that you have for him if you consider him to be just a friend. if you think that you can't lessen your feelings for him by seeing if often, then try to not to be with him for a while.. just to make your feelings go away.. coz maybe, what he really needs right now from you is a best friend. so, in order to become a great friend to him., you have to loose ties with him and just try to see him as a friend. as hard as it may be, you have to do that so that you won't get hurt... good luck on this one, ok? just hang in there. i know it 's hard, but you will manage, you will see through. take care =)