So you’ve heard about this thing called “emotional intimacy,” and you’re wondering if it's real or just the latest pop psychology fad. “Connection,” they say, “is the key to all human happiness.” But getting close enough to someone to actually let them in? Well, that’s another story. Brace yourself. Building emotional intimacy isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re ready to stop merely tolerating others from a safe distance, here are three insights that might—might—actually help. Insight 1: Try Listening Without Planning Your Rebuttal People love the idea of listening. They think they’re great at it. But the truth is, most of us are just biding our time until we can jump in with our own oh-so-profound insights. Building emotional intimacy, though, starts with genuinely listening—meaning, no planning your counterattack or deciding how you’re going to “one-up” their story. The shocking part? It’s not about you. Truly listening means being more interested in understanding the other p