Couples will most likely look for help for the marriage because of intimacy difficulties-they
no longer feel a deep emotional connection with their spouse/partner.
Why is there a wide variety of married couples suffering from emotional intimacy?
In order to experience the gifts of emotional intimacy, you need to share the deepest parts of yourself with your partner while maintaining a separate sense of self (without losing your identity). This balancing act isn't always easy, and there might be times when it will feel as if you have given so much of yourself that you feel lost or that the old you no longer exists.
A deep emotional connection has to include a couple separate people with healthy boundaries so that blending of a couple souls can take place (the formation of the "we" that becomes the relationship).
Relationship help: How to deepen Intimacy
Intimacy involves:
1. Setting out on fresh new adventures with your mate since he or she matters that much to you;
2. Temporarily putting your requirements on hold every now and then to make your mate a priority;
3. Leaving your "self" (the recognizable you) at times to step within your mate's emotional universe;
4. Re-surfacing as a separate, autonomous individual after intense moments of connection;
5. Challenging and bringing out the best in each other.
This kind of intimacy can only make it with trust compassion, trust, and respect.
~Trust sends the message that you will never intentionally embarrass or shame each other and that you will validate and honor each other's essence and what is shared.
~Respect sends the message that you value one another, and this comes through in how you to talk and react to your partner. It's simple: Speaking respectfully shows you respect each other.
~Compassion infuses your relationship with tenderness and kindness. It creates a safe atmosphere that feeds emotional intimacy and strengthens the bond that makes your relationship unique and special.
The trust, respect and compassion triad is something couples can easily lose sight of, especially during times of stress. The goal is to be mindful of when your relationship is veering off course and return to these three relationship essentials when they are lacking.