Keeping passion alive in a long-term relationship takes effort because as routines deepen with work, chores, sleep and repeat, desire can slip into the background without either partner realising it.

Here’s why emotional maturity, insight, self-control and communication skills can sometimes mask a deeper fear of closeness.

What is intimacy? Is it a feeling, specific actions, non-verbal communication, how physically close you are, a personality trait, or sexual activities? Intimacy is not a static “thing” that exists in ...