How to nurture intimacy in any relationship

Levitan quotes the research of psychologist Dorothy Tennov who found that the duration of infatuation typically lasts at most “between approximately 18 months and three years.” Circumstances like a long-distance relationship or chronic relationship insecurity may artificially extend the tingling phenomenon, at the cost …

Five Levels of Intimacy

• Relationships aren’t just about romance and having “that loving feeling”.
• 1 – Safe Communication.
• 2 – Sharing Other Peoples’ Opinions and Beliefs.
• 3 – Sharing Our Own Personal Opinions and Beliefs.
• 4 – Our Own Feelings and Experiences.
• 5: Our Own Needs, Emotions and Desires.

• Make it a point to show your appreciation.
• Make an effort to learn about each other.
• Set aside time for each other.
• Unplug and focus on each other.
• Show physical affection (even without sex)
• Tackle a project together.
• Talk about what intimacy means to you.

The four stages are 1) Acquaintance, 2) Peer friend, 3) Close Friend, and 4) Best friend. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Stages of Friendships

• Role Delimited Interaction. The first stage of friendship is called role delimited interaction.
• Friendly Relations.
• Moves-Toward-Friendship.
• Nascent Friendship.
• Stabilized Friendship.
• Waning Friendship.
• Post-Friendship.

Aristotle figured there were three kinds of friendships:

• Friendships of utility: exist between you and someone who is useful to you in some way.
• Friendships of pleasure: exist between you and those whose company you enjoy.
• Friendships of the good: are based on mutual respect and admiration.

On average, people have three to five close, personal relationships. That’s all. Those of you who worry that you only have a few close friends can relax.

What to do if you have no friends:

1. Remind yourself that lots of people have no friends.
2. Figure out in what way you are lonely.
3. Address underlying causes such as depression or anxiety.
4. Polish up on your social skills.
5. Find like-minded people through mutual interests.
6. Overcome the fear of rejection.

A study, which charted the social lives of 2,000 people, showed that we lose touch with almost half of the friends that we make. It found that the average person will make 29 real friends over the years but will lose at least five of those along the way due to arguments.

It’s possible it’s just all of you need to be real close. And there can be close friends outside the group that can be best friends. It’s just the group of people your close with have to have the understanding that you have a personal relationship with others outside of the group. And usually they’d have the same.

Don’t miss a thing

• Charlie’s Angels.
• The Powerpuff Girls.
• Takes Three To Spill The Tea.
• Trio Chat’s Poppin’
• The Three Musketeers.
• Three’s Company.
• My Really Gouda Friends.
• Mermaid To Be Three.

There is no need to be an extrovert and make too many friends. Just stay at good terms with others so that they help you when you need them. Stay close to 2–3 friends only. That’s much better.

Despite the high volume of #squadgoals grams posted by acquaintances you don’t actually go out with, it’s actually perfectly normal to have just a few close friends. So whether you’ve grown apart from your high school or college friend group, or never had one to begin with, here’s why—and why it’s OK!