INTIMACY

INTIMACY

An intimate relationship is an interpersonal relationship that involves physical or emotional intimacy. Physical intimacy is characterized by romantic or passionate attachment or sexual activity. Now the question arises 'what is Intimacy?' Lets talk about intimacy now. Intimacy generally refers to the feeling of being close to someone and belonging together. The verb "intimate" means "to state or make known". In human relationships, the meaning and level of intimacy varies within and between relationships. It brings in trust, confidence and dependability in any relationship. Being intimate does not only means to be in Physical love with someone. Being intimate means sharing one's thoughts and inner most secrets with complete trust, sharing one's knowledge and experiences, communicating with the other person without restrictions,caring about each other and developing an emotional and interpersonal awareness.

Its not necessary that only Lovers can be intimate(as this term 'Intimate' is wrongly interpreted by common mass), but friends, partners or even family members can be intimate with each other. Intimacy becomes the basis for confidence(secret knowledge) that bind people together. Intimacy can be categorized in three categories- physical, emotional and cognitive. Among these the Physical Intimacy is the most talked about. Physical intimacy is sensual proximity or touching, examples include being inside someone's personal space, holding hands, hugging, kissing, caressing, and other sexual activities. Emotional intimacy, in relationships,generally develops after a certain level of trust has been reached and personal bonds have been established. Emotional intimacy needs not to be Physical. Two individuals can be in emotional intimate relationship without being physical or even without being close to each other. We might know about a lot of long distance intimate relationships. Now comes the least talked about intimacy that is 'cognitive intimacy' or 'intellectual intimacy'. Cognitive or intellectual intimacy is when two people exchange their thoughts, share their ideas and enjoy similarities and differences between their opinions. If they are openly doing it in a very comfortable way, then can become quite intimate in an intellectual area.

No matter what intimacy is there between two individuals, the basis of the relationship is always trust and confidence. For long term intimate relationship(be it of any type), the individuals should have trust and feel very comfortable with each other. Because caring and sharing, exchange of thoughts and the inner most secrets/feelings can only happen with a person that we have full trust on.