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One Love Triangle that Works for Everyone— The Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment Paradigm
A simple framework.
Robert Sternberg, an American psychologist and professor, developed the Triangular Theory of Love in the context of relationships back in the 80s. This makes it vintage and right in-keeping with my content vibe. Let’s take a deeper look!
While it is certainly impossible to capture all the nuances of relationship styles and arrangements, I think this theory creates a relatable way of understanding the fundamentals (and the pain points).
Intimacy
My favourite segment of this love trifecta is Intimacy, which is a feeling of emotional closeness between you and another person. It may be a part of family, friends, or sexual relationships. It is a feeling of safety, connection, and trust that is not immediate, but is built and nourished over time.
This aspect of the love triangle is somewhat within our control. We can develop intimacy in our relationships with intention, by creating safe emotional space for others to express themselves and by being open and vulnerable ourselves.
Intimacy may be created when you navigate difficult or uncomfortable conversations in lieu of avoiding them. It takes time and trust, but is long-lasting and vital to…
