TAKEN FROM: GOODTHERAPY.COM Intimacy usually denotes mutual vulnerability, openness, and sharing. It is often present in close, loving relationships such as marriages and friendships. The term is also sometimes used to refer to sexual interactions, but intimacy does not have to be sexual.
Intimacy can be vital to maintaining a healthy social life. If you avoid intimacy, you may find yourself isolated or in constant conflict with others. When fear of intimacy disrupts a relationship, couples counseling or individual therapy may help.
WHAT IS INTIMACY?
Intimacy is important because humans are social creatures who thrive on close personal relationships with others. While intimacy connotes images of romantic relationships, it can also occur in close friendships, parent-child relationships, and siblinghood. There are four (+ one #5☝🏽 added by me personally) types of intimacy:
1. Experiential Intimacy: When people bond during leisure activities. People may “sync up” their actions in teamwork or find themselves acting in unison.
Example: A father and son work together to build a model train, developing a rhythm to their teamwork.
2. Emotional Intimacy: When people feel safe sharing their feelings with each other, even uncomfortable ones.
Example: A woman confides in her sister about her body image issues. She trusts her sibling to offer comfort rather than using her insecurities against her.
3. Intellectual Intimacy: When people feel comfortable sharing ideas and opinions, even when they disagree.
Example: Two friends debate the meaning of life. They enjoy hearing each other’s opinions and don’t feel the need to “win” the argument.
4. Sexual Intimacy: When people engage in sensual or sexual activities. When people use the word “intimacy,” they are often referring to this type.
Example: Two lovers engage in foreplay, knowing how each other prefers to be touched. MY NOTES 📝 FOLLOWING. 5. SPIRITUAL INTIMACY: When there is mutual interest, mutual commitment, and a mutual willingness to move the Spiritual relationship forward at a healthy pace, these are strong indications God does want you to invest time in His Word. Relationships are a unique place in life where the spiritual and practical combine and are constantly intermingling. What does it mean to experience intimacy with God? It means we are “never alone.” It means we have peace. It means we are courageous and capable of overcoming, no matter the circumstance. “Jesus replied, 'Now you finally believe in me. Intimacy with God often occurs in the places where we must trust him most. Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh=INTIMACY 💕💗❤️
