Intimacy is important in a relationship. It’s what connects you with your partner, what makes your relationship stronger. Some people only focus on physical intimacy, the intimacy that comes from touch, from physical affection. But emotional intimacy, the intimacy born out of vulnerability and trust in another person, is just as important in a relationship. In fact, intimacy in general, no matter what type, is essential for building a strong and lasting relationship.
But there’s a difference between knowing how important intimacy is, and knowing how to build intimacy between you and someone else. If you’d like to be more intimate with your partner, but you’re not sure where to start, that’s okay. Here are some ideas that might help you.
Change Your Routine
It’s possible to lose some intimacy in your relationship because of routine. You forget to care for the little moments and small gestures that can brighten your partner’s day. But it’s possible to get that back. You could try being more physically affectionate with your partner: more casual touches, holding hands, longer hugs.
You could also try staying in touch throughout the day. Maybe you could leave post-its around the house with a nice message, or maybe text throughout the day and check in to see how they’re doing. You can hang out with your family or friends and do something fun, so you have something to tell your partner when you see them again.
Appreciate One Another
It’s one thing to appreciate your partner, and it’s another to show your partner how much you appreciate them. You don’t have to think of big gestures to do so. You can start simple, by complimenting them more often, or maybe taking a moment to remember and discuss happy memories you’ve made together.
Another way of building intimacy is to be vulnerable. Take some time to open up about how you’re feeling, and maybe have some difficult conversations. It might be difficult at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. Similarly, if your partner decides to open up to you, to show their vulnerability, then don’t hesitate to support them in any way they need. Vulnerability and support are key to fostering emotional intimacy.
Do Fun Things Together
Life is busy, but whenever you can, try to do something fun together. You could try a new activity, something neither of you has done before. Trying something new is always more fun when you’ve got someone to try it out with you. You can also take your partner out on dates. It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, as long as you leave the house and have fun together.
Of course, you can also do stuff together at home. Make sure to spare some time to hang out together and do things you both enjoy. You can also schedule sex. It might seem weird at first, but it’s much less awkward than it sounds. Life can get in the way of a lot of things, and sometimes scheduling something in advance is the only way you can make sure you have time for what you want to do, even sex.
What Else?
If after reading this, you feel like you need more help in order to build intimacy with your partner, that’s okay. Not every tip will work for everybody. There’s no shame in needing more help than others. If you’re having trouble connecting with your partner, don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help. Schedule an appointment and take that first step towards building something stronger between you and your partner.
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