Does Intimacy Mean Just Being Physical?

Evaluating what intimacy is really at the end of the day is food for thought. Are intimacy and passion interchangeable terms? Is being physically intimate different from general intimacy? Can you have sex without intimacy?

Rather than going by what others feel about intimacy, it is important to decide for yourself what intimacy means to you.

In this blog, we will talk about intimacy and what it comprises.

What Exactly is Intimacy?

Some people consider intimacy as sexual activity with someone, while others think it is falling in love with someone.

It is seen that just the simple act of sharing some private information with a stranger for over half an hour and looking into their eyes for over four minutes can make someone fall in love. But is this an indication that you are becoming intimate with that person?

Well, being intimate with someone can indicate a multitude of things, but the core of it is mingling with someone, sharing experiences, and connecting on an emotional level. Humans have evolved to socialise and connect as a community.

Sex can be one of the most affectionate and soul-empowering expressions of love, but it can also just be a pleasurable activity one does.

Many men and women perform sexual acts to prove their love for each other. On the other hand, love is when you connect emotionally and spiritually with someone.

Intimacy consists of both of these situations and much more. In short, intimacy comprises emotional, physical, spiritual, and familiar components of one’s feelings with someone else, and it is reciprocated from their end as well. It is indeed a two-way street.

Intimacy is More Than Just Sex

In a loving relationship, making love is the physical aspect of intimacy. It comes from a place of affection, deep caring, and showing it physically to be satisfied.

In a casual relationship or one-night stands, sex can be a mere physical activity people perform to achieve sexual satisfaction, with no intimacy involved.

Let’s try to understand what we are trying to project with the help of an example. Someone who got into an arranged marriage did not get a chance to connect or fall in love before getting married emotionally.

They tend to go on honeymoon soon after the wedding and open up to each other during the course and form some connection.

When they perform the sexual act, they are intimate with each other. However, over time, they get to know each other in their married relationship and connect on a deeper emotional and spiritual level.

Now they are truly intimate when they perform the act, as they are dependent on each other while also being their true selves with each other.

So, it is how they come a long way to feel this way and share happy and sad moments together as a couple.

There can also be some hiccups like premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in new relationships that need some time to get easy in a relationship.

Can You Be Intimate Without Being Physical?

Being physical can have a lot of meanings. It can mean having sexual intercourse, hugging, cuddling, snuggling, holding hands, etc.

Intimacy can be considered a larger-than-life term, and it can exist in all of these situations. However, all of these situations would be considered as being physically intimate with someone.

Intimacy does not require any physical acts in a broader aspect. Being open and vulnerable with someone you care about, feeling their presence around you when they are away, and just normally interacting with them to keep them and yourself happy are all acts of intimacy as well.

What are the Necessary Prerequisites for Being Intimate?

To truly be yourself around someone and experience intimacy, you should feel safe and secure enough to open up and be vulnerable.

Genuine openness comes from having the courage to be aware of your inner experience at the moment and sharing it.

Here are the essential ingredients required to make the most of intimacy -

Self-awareness

Trust

Safety

Mutuality

Courage

Autonomy

Self-esteem

Emotional Availability

Liberty

Sharing

All of these components come together to holistically build true intimacy. However, having just one or two of these components with someone can also generate intimate moments, which also include being physical with someone.

Bottom Line

It is very easy to get stuck in a thought process and overthink the meaning of intimacy. It is an umbrella term that comprises many factors, all of which are equally relevant. Intimacy does not just mean being physical; however, it is also a form of intimacy.

So, now that you have a holistic overview of this term, it is time to self-evaluate what type of intimacy you want in this moment of your life.

Identifying the kind of intimacy you require at any moment is a very healthy way to maintain good mental health. However, if for some reason you cannot enjoy sexual intimacy even after trying everything, it is a good idea to consult a sexologist.