Intimacy Issues: 4 Must-Tackle Topics That May Scare You

by eHarmony Staff


Intimacy Issues: 4 Must-Tackle Topics That May Scare You

Intimacy. One little word that can intimidate even the savviest single. And when it comes to addressing intimacy issues with a partner, that can be even more fear-inducing. Instead of shying away from the subject, however, you’re better off tackling the tough topics head-on. What follows are four common intimacy issues you may be scared to address, as well as some strategies to help you broach any subject with ease.

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Defining Intimacy

First, let’s define what intimacy actually is. Contrary to popular belief, intimacy is NOT purely physical. You don’t have to be sexually involved with someone to be intimate with them. Instead, intimacy is a connection that builds between two people over time. Emotional closeness, spiritual trust, and physical connectedness all play a role in creating intimacy. With that working definition, let’s move on to the four must-tackle intimacy issues you may be afraid to face.

Intimacy Issue #1: How to define and pace your physical relationship

While intimacy is not solely a sexual issue, physical connection does play a role. And when you meet and start dating someone new, addressing the “how much, how soon” topic can be intimidating. While you may be fearful about expressing your needs to take things physically slow, it’s essential to your relationship success that you express your desires up front and keep the lines of communication open. This will cut down on misunderstandings and unnecessary relationship drama. So how do you broach the subject? First, find a comfortable and safe environment. Next, put your potential partner at ease by letting them know how much you value them. Then, take a deep breath, summon your inner strength, and communicate your needs. Your partner will most likely thank you for being up front and honest. In fact, by having this difficult discussion, you may deepen the level of intimacy between you.

Intimacy Issue #2: How to communicate your emotional needs

Just as it’s important to be open and honest about your physical needs, it’s equally essential in an intimate relationship to communicate your emotional needs. By consistently expressing your feelings and needs in healthy ways, you give your potential partner a window into your emotional well being. If they respond favorably, working to meet your needs as well as expressing their own, you’re well on your way to building a solid foundation of intimacy. Or, if they seem unwilling to meet you half way, uninterested in hearing your needs, or unable to express their own wants and needs, you’re now armed with the information you need to decide if you’d like to work on the relationship or cut your losses and move on.

Intimacy Issue #3: How to build and maintain trust

A key ingredient in any healthy intimate relationship is trust. Again, this builds over time. Therefore, give yourself and your potential partner permission to tread softly at first in the trust department. Reveal yourselves slowly and carefully, paying attention to the other person’s words and actions. As you reveal yourself, how does it feel? Safe and comfortable? Excellent! Keep going. If and when red flags reveal themselves or you begin to feel unsafe or uncomfortable, stop. Reassess the situation. Proceed with caution until you have a clearer understanding of whether to continue building trust with this person or protect your heart and walk away.

Intimacy Issue #4: How to talk about exclusivity

One of the most difficult intimacy issues to discuss in any new relationship is the subject of exclusivity. Are we or aren’t we? How soon is too soon? Is it safe to discuss or not? Instead of letting fear keep you from broaching the subject, summon your inner strength and when the time is right, talk about it. For example, a first date is most likely too soon to talk about being exclusive. However, if you’ve been spending a significant amount of time together, are starting to talk about the future, and are engaged in a deepening physical relationship, chances are good that it’s time for a heart to heart about becoming exclusive with one another. Again, by taking a risk and addressing this important issue, your partner will most likely appreciate your courage. In return, your intimacy will deepen.

Ultimately, intimacy is something that builds over time. In any romantic relationship, it’s important to take things slow, communicate your needs while working to meet the other person’s needs, and build a level of trust you’re both comfortable with. When in doubt, refer to the issues and strategies above. Above all else, trust your gut and respond accordingly.

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8 Comments View this thread in our community


alendatly

March 15,2012 at 07:46 am

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StaceyHamelinck

January 2,2012 at 11:52 pm

The particular Invention Associated with Sun shades

Shades have a very extended historical past, in addition to though the first recognised records with the creation associated with sun glasses since we know these folks currently exclusively time frame back on the commencing belonging to the 20th 100 years, shades, in a single kind or perhaps an alternative, have already been implemented through customers all around the world for your very last Seven-hundred yrs.

Pertaining to Sun glasses

Right now, glasses usually are a single half fashion accessory and one part protecting glasses that are meant to shield a user's little brown eyes with the harmful effect connected with hazardous UV rays. More than their 700-year course, sunglasses have been completely made use of to get a number of varied features. The following heritage is going to describe a number of the most widely used usages.

Heritage of Glasses

12th century -- Tiongkok

The primary written about use of dim eyepieces times back to help 12th centuries Tiongkok. These types of very first 'sunglasses' happen to be created involving chiseled panes of quartz, that had been welded to some keeping rods. As a way to be able to darken the actual improved lenses your quartz occured beneath light up. Theses great smoky quarta movement standard zoom lens happen to be put into use solely simply by most judges to help you cover the little brown eyes plus hide its makeup words and phrases all through samples.

14th century - Italy

It will be achievable that the to begin with visible record of a subject matter putting on shades is generally viewed in the frescoes of Tommaso fordi Modena, that happen to be found inside the Chapter Property in the Dominicans regarding Treviso, France.

Fifteenth hundred years -- China

Any time vision-correcting contact lenses were introduced for you to Cina through Italia in the beginning on the Fifteenth one hundred year, Chinese suppliers speedily adapted the lens recommended to their fumes film secret. Though this can be regarded as a delivery regarding eyewear, family court judges however primarily employed these during the court system.

18th century * He uk

Uk eye doctor Fred Ayscough attempted shaded contacts around spectacles about 1752. They considered of which pink or maybe green-tinted improved lenses could possibly correct quite a few vision problems. Even though Ayscough's spectacles were not really put into use for you to shield the eye area in the sun, there're believed to be your precursors for you to glasses.

twentieth hundred years : The us

Perhaps the one described developer connected with sun shades, since we know all of them at the moment, Sam Nurture, inventor from the Promote Give Corporation, engineered the initial cost effective sun glasses crafted regarding muscle size manufacturing and started advertising these folks inside Atlantic ocean City, Nj-new jersey in 1929. They will fairly quickly became a success.

Around the thirties a Armed service Air Corps hired Bausch & Lomb, a great to make certain that organisation, to supply glasses that is going to protect pilots' eye through the dangerous results of high-altitude glare. This might be the creation of Ray Ban, as well as in 1936 once they began employing Edwin M. Land trademarked Polaroid filtration system, your well known Ray Ban aviator sun shades were delivered.

It can't possibly be till the 1960's of which sun shades would likely move into their particular present part as being a fashion addition together with the trendy Engender Give advertising campaign "Who's Of which Guiding Individuals Instill Scholarships?" That saying will make sun shades well-liked using Hollywood celebrities therefore the world.

Despite the fact that it really is hard to target the exact starting time and date of the invention of sunglasses, by using the one identified information becoming that surrounding Sam Create throughout 1929, one can believe within the last Seven-hundred a long time associated with processing that more than one man or women should have put on a couple of colors previous to going out into the scorching sunlight.

Uncle Apple

February 1,2009 at 04:47 pm

I wish I had this article, 5 years ago, or more. Heck, I wish, I had it on paper, on my desk, now. But I've some how always known, that intimacy isn't purely physical, but a mental connection. And I'm glad that it's not confirmed.

graceventually

December 12,2008 at 06:58 am

last12C:

I would add that it is not necessary to chose a moment, sit down and dump the entire "talk" at one time. From my experience, men in particular are not comfortable with that approach. In the very early stages of dating much can be communicated through your behavior. Intimacy issues can be addressed bit by bit as moments arise that make them a natural and comfortable topic of conversation. You don't need to be completely serious about tackling these issues, either. There are ways to discuss them in an honest, but light-hearted manner. No need to make this into an arduous and onerous task.

This is better than the original article.Well done!

Sharon2010

December 12,2008 at 06:18 am

My new mate and I just had this talk a week ago today! He came over to my place for the first time to watch a movie and we ended up having "the talk" while getting cozy on the couch together. We ended up staying up most of the night talking, kissing, talking, hugging, talking, talking, talking!I can't tell you how important this moment was in our relationship becuse I wasn't getting any signals from him that he wanted things to be more intimate until we had this talk. I learned he had recently been "burnt" by a woman who became offended becuase he wanted to hold her hand in the movie theater so this made him a little "trigger shy" with me. This night was going to be the night I would decide whether or not we had a future together or not.We are exclusive now and have established a connection on many levels.

last12C

December 11,2008 at 07:41 pm

I would add that it is not necessary to chose a moment, sit down and dump the entire "talk" at one time. From my experience, men in particular are not comfortable with that approach. In the very early stages of dating much can be communicated through your behavior. Intimacy issues can be addressed bit by bit as moments arise that make them a natural and comfortable topic of conversation. You don't need to be completely serious about tackling these issues, either. There are ways to discuss them in an honest, but light-hearted manner. No need to make this into an arduous and onerous task.

smileen

December 11,2008 at 04:47 pm

I just had this talk with a man I just started seeing ( a month) and he brought it up, which made me soooo happy. We are probably moving quickly, by other peoples standards. I am comfortable with it, but scared all at the same time.... he expressed that he is scared of getting hurt... but who isn't? (I guess this is what scared me)I guess itwill take time for him to get toknow me and visa versa... I haven't been in a"new start" for a while and am scared I am going to do or say something to screw this up...

Scotch

December 11,2008 at 01:39 pm

Good article! Honesty from the start is the best policy for sure!!

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