Do breaks actually work?

Every other experience I’ve had tells me that she’s just gonna wait it out til I have no more feelings. But she’s also never lied to me. And she’s definitely not one to beat around the bush. If she wants to improve on herself, why can’t she do that while being in a relationship? Let’s say she does want to get back together eventually, how am I supposed to be with someone who couldn’t handle us being a relationship and it’s struggles? Part of me sees it as she’s giving up. And maybe she is. Maybe she’s just calling it a break so it would hurt less. Still hurts just as much though. Maybe I was too much in the end.