Last week I hosted a webinar to discuss creating virtual intimacy during this pandemic. With everything else that has come to a screeching halt, I know that you’re feeling a bit lost and feeling like you don’t have the opportunities that you had prior to all of this. I’m here to tell you that it’s possible to connect deeply, and create intimacy even while we’re social distance-dating. I’ll share a quick take-away from the webinar below.
I packed a LOT of information into this session, so if you missed it, click HERE for the full replay.
First, let’s define what intimacy actually IS. Spoiler Alert: Intimacy is more than just sexual.
4 Ways You Can Experience and Create Intimacy:
1. Experiential: Sharing activities. How can you build this type of intimacy if you can’t go out and play tennis together, go for a run or enjoy your favorite meal? This is the time to express why you love the activities you normally love to do. Rather than talking about what you do, share why you love doing it. You’ll learn a lot about someone by what they choose to do in their free time. This will help keep the conversation stimulating rather than simply listing activities which never builds intimacy.
2. Emotional: Sharing feelings. Since we’re all in this together, it’s easy to bond over how you’re getting through this time. Ask meaningful questions: How are you? How is your business? How is the family handling everything? What are you missing most right now? Be bold. Ask the questions that matter. We’re all human, and we all need support right now. Don’t underestimate the power of compassion.
3. Intellectual: Sharing ideas. This is the perfect time to bond with stimulating conversation. Whether it’s current affairs, philosophy, your work, your passions, articles you’ve been reading or a new book, open up and share. Intellectual connection is another form of intimacy and there’s nothing sexier than someone with a fascinating mind.
4. Sexual: Sharing physical attraction. This one is a little trickier if you can’t meet in person, but rest assured, flirting can happen over text, FaceTime and Zoom. It usually starts with compliments and generates a feeling of closeness and excitement.
I’ll leave you with this:
Don’t worry about what’s next once our lockdown has been lifted. Your only job right now is to be present and enjoy the connections that you’re making here and now. If they don’t last through the lock down, or it ends quickly once it’s over, that’s ok! Everyone will understand. Connect, communicate, and enjoy!
April Beyer
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