The Cost of Superficial Relationships
Explore why superficial relationships drain you and how depth fuels emotional safety.
The Experience of Social Nearness Without Intimacy
Social nearness does not guarantee intimacy.
Bodies can be close while depth remains shallow.
This layering matters.
It explains why closeness sometimes feels thin rather than warm.
Understand relational layers with DojoWell.
Explore DojowellFrom Art to Science
Articles exploring the psychology behind these patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is "social nearness" different from intimacy?
Social nearness is a physical and social coordinate—being part of the group, the conversation, or the space. Intimacy is the deep integration of identities. The Meaning Density Model™ differentiates the two to help you manage your social energy. You can have high "social nearness" (lots of friends, busy social life) with very low intimacy, and that is a valid structural choice. Recognizing this prevents you from feeling "lonely in a crowd" by aligning your expectations with the actual structural state.
Why is it important to know the difference?
It prevents "meaning confusion." If you expect intimacy from every social nearness encounter, your Reward system will be in a state of constant disappointment. By correctly identifying an interaction as "social nearness," you allow yourself to enjoy the "low-density" benefits—light conversation, shared laughter, community—without the "high-density" cost of intimacy. This helps you balance your social portfolio and ensures you have the energy left for the deep integration work your identity requires.