my opinion on intimacy

March 4, 2026

a few days ago i came across a post on x titled "i love you is not intimacy...".

intimate relationships can be platonic or emotional or sexual. the main idea behind intimacy is to be close to a person either emotionally or physically as you're irl creating a deep internal connection. it takes time to build a intimate relationship as it requires knowledge of each other of what they truly are.

in platonic intimacy. there's no script of future (marriage, kids, etc) as it is completely free from romanticizing the relationship. this can lead to radical honesty in relationship which can make them grow mutually and independently.

there's another view for platonic intimacy that's explained by mangesh padgaonkar in his song "kitik halve, kitik sundar" (how sensitive, how beautiful). it emphasizes upon the idea that true intimacy isn't about being together in every moment but also about the wise distance where they remain in sync regardless of the physical presence.

satyajit ray movies such as charulata, devi, apur sansar, mahanagar depict intimacy through silent emotional connections and with social/economical tensions at that time. in apur sansar, the union of apu and aparna was shown in a cherishable way with tenderness and restraint instead of physicality.

imo the modern world has changed how we look at intimacy, its more of physical intimacy rather than the true intimacy. the ideas, thoughts, long conversations about knowing each other, growing together is more intimate than sex itself. but being emotionally intimate isn't feasible for most men's today as they have high self-esteem and they want themselves to be respected which can cause betrayal in most scenarios.