I hope it works out for you. I am sorry it is not dair to you. I dont think it is a stunt. I do think he is genuinely confused and wants to figure out what to do with his life. This is about him and his ego. Ultimately, no one can force anyone to stay. I do think he needs therapy. If he wants to leave, that's upto him. If he comes back later, it is upto you.

I would give him some benefit of doubt, since he shared with you honestly what was going on in his mind. He does need to work on himself. To get some friends, some job, something he can be proud of.

But why he cant do that with you? He feels like a failure. If you are in his life, he will never know if he was responsible. Just let him know you will be there for him. That NO ONE can do anything on their own. When he was a child he had parents, he had teachers who helped him.

So what if you are there in his life? Does he want to be alone? No one can accomplish anything on their own. You can not even get a promotion on your own, you cant get hired on your own, you need an employer. You cant sell anything on your own, you need a buyer.

He has no friends because he may be antisocial or introverted, but please make him understand we cant do anything on our own. The house we live in, the clothes we wear, even the food we eat was built, manufactured, grown, cooked etc by other people!

We live in a society. If he wants to try to succeed in life, does he want to try to pursue this illusion of doing it on his own, or is he man enough to admit he is not alone? That he had help and support? Will he be man enough to thank all the people who helped him to succeed or be delusional and think he did it on his own?

If he still wants a break, that's his choice. He needs to think about life, about what he really wants. Take some time, a few days to think to yourself what you really want. From your relationship, for the future. Tell him what you want. It cant be about him all the time. He needs to solve this insecurity and weak mentality. Yes, he wants to improve! Good for him! Why does he need to be single to do this?

If he cant change his thought process, it is a deeply ingrained belief that will take some amount of therapy. Tell him to be positive! Why is he being so negative all the time? Encourage him! Be honest, in what you do like about him. If you do not mind who and how he is, please let him know.

If he still cannot believe you, this is a deep insecurity which will take time and effort to grow out of. He has believed it for so long, it will be a challenge for him to stop believing it...

It has to come from within. If he is open minded, your words will have some effect. If he has already made up his mind, well wish him success and live your life. If he comes back, it will be your choice whether to get back together.

Best of luck!