Emotional intimacy is a closeness that goes beyond the ordinary fondness felt for
friends and family. The degree of emotional intimacy is an excellent barometer for
evaluating the health of a relationship. It’s difficult to have a good relationship with
poor emotional intimacy or a poor relationship with a high degree of emotional
Intimacy.
Grow your emotional intimacy and strengthen your bonds of love:
1. Exercise together. We maintain intimate relationships with those with whom
we share challenging times, whether it be surviving a horrible boss or training
for a marathon. Spend time training together at the gym. Sweat and suffer
together. Your bond will grow.
2. Let go of your past. Most of the obstacles to being more intimately connected are
rooted in the past. Learn from the past and be done with it. Everyone has been
hurt at some point. That’s not a valid reason to spoil today. Let it go.
3. Share your appreciation for each other. Before turning off the light for the
night, share what you each appreciate about each other. List something you
appreciated that day. It could be something small like folding your clean pants
or stopping by the store for milk. You’ll be amazed by what happens. You’ll spend the day looking for things to appreciate about your partner. You’ll eventually think that your partner
has changed into an even more amazing person. But the truth is that you’re the one who’s changed.
4. Touch each other daily. Sex counts, but focus on other types of touch, too. Give
each other a massage or snuggle together on the couch. Hold hands.
5. Be a positive experience for your spouse. Studies have shown that we’re more
sensitive to negative experiences than we are to positive ones. The ratio is roughly
5:1. It takes five positive experiences to negate the impact of one negative
Experience. Try to deliver at least 10 positive experiences for each negative
experience so your bond is ever-growing.
6. Be a better listener. We adore the people in our lives who take the time to listen
intently to what we have to say. You might not care about the great deal she got
on the pair of heels she’s been eyeing for weeks or the fact that his new
carburetor finally arrived in the mail. But you get at least as much as you give
when you’re a good listener. Look your partner in the eye when they’re speaking to you.
Turn off the TV. Put your cell phone away. Avoid interrupting.
7. Explore something new together. Take a class or a hike in a new location. Read
the same book and share your thoughts. Attend a concert together. Take a trip
to someplace new. Be creative and share a new experience.
8. Be the best possible version of yourself. By being at your best, you’ll have more
to give. Have a few goals and spend time each day striving to achieve them.
Take care of yourself physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
9. Show an interest in your partner’s life. This goes beyond being a good listener.
Be inquisitive and ask your partner about her day. If he just got home from
playing golf, ask him about his game. Show a genuine interest. It’s easy to be emotionally intimate at the beginning of a meaningful relationship. The other person is just so perfect and interesting! Emotional intimacy can be more challenging after 10 years have taken their toll. Emotional intimacy must be encouraged to grow or it will die. Make emotional intimacy a priority in your relationship
How to Reach Your Relationship Goals Faster.
Everyone has goals that they would like to achieve. Your goals help to keep you moving
forward, even when you're uncertain or down about something. Focusing on your goals
gives you purpose and enjoyment in life.
With that in mind, it's valuable to remember that not all goals have to be about work or
money. There are plenty of goals that have to do with hobbies, travel, relationships, and
other areas of life. The truth is, that relationships are an often-overlooked key ingredient to an
overall life of joy.
What Kind of Relationship Goals Do You Have?
Relationship goals are sometimes less specific than goals for money or certain
accomplishments. For example, setting a goal to get married by a certain date puts pressure
on you and may cause you to settle for the wrong guy or gal.
Try these strategies to help yourself achieve your relationship goals sooner:
1. Know yourself. Take the time to understand and get to know yourself, so you know
what you have to offer in a relationship. Take good care of yourself both mentally and
physically, as that will make you much more attractive to the opposite sex.
2. Stabilize your financial life. Most people prefer someone financially stable.
Money worries can affect a relationship in a very negative way, sometimes before it
even gets started.
3. Be open to new experiences. Get off the couch and into the game. Get out there
and meet new people. Attend church functions, community events, and other
gatherings where you can meet people with similar interests.
1Family and Friends Matter, Too
Even if romance is far from your radar, you probably still have relationship goals in mind.
Would you like to be emotionally closer to your extended family? Perhaps you're interested in
making amends with an elderly parent before it's too late. Make your relationships a
priority by envisioning how you want them to be. Those desires are your relationship
Goals. Work steadily to advance your goals, so you can see them come to pass more quickly.
Consistent, positive action is the key. You can improve your relationships in many
ways. For example:
• Be the first one to reach out. You'll repair or advance relationships with action.
• Find out what other people need from you, so you can meet those needs if
Possible.
• Be honest about your feelings. Tell people what you want and need from them.
Above all, be willing to open your heart to those who matter the most to you. You
might be surprised to find a willing recipient on the other end that has been waiting for you
all along. When you're willing to leave your comfort zone and pursue meaningful
relationship goals, you'll experience a richer and more fulfilling life than you ever dreamed
was possible.
If you're ready to get started, grab a pen and paper. Close the door so you won't be
interrupted for about 30 minutes. Write the name of someone important to you at the
top of the page.
Now write a description of your ideal relationship with this person. Repeat this process for
each of the important relationships in your life. Review these descriptions often and begin to
take steps to move those relationships in that direction. When you do, you'll experience the
happiness you were created to experience!
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