Dear Diana,
I have been with my girlfriend for about a year, but she is not interested in physical intimacy. She only wants to spend time with me and talk to me. What should I do to make her interested in more than just conversations with me? She says she is not comfortable with physical intimacy. She'd rather listen to me than allow me to get physical with her. I am her first boyfriend.
— Samir


Illustration/Amit Bandre 

Dear Samir,
Your girlfriend is perhaps not too sure about the relationship or she feels she is not ready for it at this stage. It could also be due to some past experience. You need to ask her why she avoids physical intimacy. Being honest and forthright will help you put her apprehensions to rest. She needs to tell you why she feels uncomfortable. It could also be that your girlfriend is not prepared for it, so you need to respect it than force her into something she is not at all comfortable doing.