7 Types Of Non-Physical Cheating That Are Still Cheating!
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Relationships are complicated.
Or are they?
It probably all depends on how emotionally invested you are in your partner and in the relationship. And before you start blaming yourself for being insecure, please be aware that cheating in a relationship is not just restricted to “physical” cheating. There can also be emotional cheating (1). And that has as much of a devastating effect on the relationship as physical cheating, if not worse. And here’s the thing – many have actually had these “emotional” affairs.
So, what equals as emotional cheating? Read on to find out!
1. You’re Too Close For Comfort With A “Friend” Of The Opposite Sex
Of course, this is strictly for heterosexual couples. If you aren’t, then you know which gender to be wary of being “too close” to. Basically, anyone who is taking away precious time between you and your partner is a potential threat and you must stay away from such interactions. Yes, it is true – you might feel attracted to this other person. But you must ask yourself if it is worth all the pain, humiliation, and hurt that you will cause your partner – just because you are “attracted” to a new person.
2. You’re A Virtual Flirt
The internet has been a blessing in many ways, but for those in a relationship, it is nothing short of a curse. Especially since it is so much easier to flirt around with more than one person online. The internet gives you the benefit of anonymity, and therefore, also the freedom to behave as “promiscuously” as you like without the fear of any sort of repercussions (since you’re not really cheating). But the truth is, you actually are cheating!
Instead of using the internet to harm your relationship, it is about time that we started using it for some good – rather than using it to flirt around, why not use it to reduce the emotional distance between a couple? This is really worth a thought.
3. You’re More Committed To Your Phone
I mean, let’s be honest. Don’t we all almost always prioritize our phones over people? And this becomes really toxic when we prioritize it over our significant others. Especially the current generation of millennials who seem to be much more obsessed with their cell phones than we could have ever imagined. Studies have revealed that a whopping 40% consider the phone more dependable than their partners (2). If that isn’t disturbing, we don’t know what is!
4. You Discuss Your Partner With Others
Discussing your partner with close friends is inevitable. We all do that and there is nothing wrong in it. However, it starts becoming wrong when you do it consistently and with an intent of just complaining. What this means is that rather than working on the relationship along with your partner, you are actually bringing in a third party. What this does is that it alienates your partner because you are bringing in a third perspective into the equation and this can be severely damaging to the relationship. While your partner may be absolutely unaware of what you think s/he has done wrong, you would have already passed judgement on him or her along with your friends.
5. You Try To Find Solace With Strangers
Many of us like to take time off from our respective partners and spend quality time with ourselves. This is, of course, absolutely harmless and gives us the space that we all need as individuals. What is troublesome, however, is when we look for respite from our emotional thirst in others. For example, we pick up conversations with strangers and discuss painfully personal stuff with them, which we should be ideally sharing with our partners but find it difficult to do so. This is a sign that things are not okay between you and your partner and you need to look at resolving these issues.
6. You Keep Your Friendships A Secret From Your Partner
All of us have friends, even best friends, who are not necessarily our partners. And that is completely acceptable. We all like spending time with our girl/ guy gang and just reliving our bachelorhood days. But sometimes we forge friendships that we feel the need to hide from our partners. This is something that is absolutely unhealthy and is a direct sign that your relationship is under threat.
7. Your Bedroom Fantasies Do Not Involve Your Partner
We all dream of that ideal lovemaking partner who can satisfy all our dreams. And that is sort of okay. But if we constantly have to think of someone else (apart from our partner) to keep ourselves satisfied, then that means that there is something definitely off. You need to express your sexual desires to your partner and also listen to theirs. Only then can you both be satisfied in your relationship.
Do you believe emotional cheating is worse than physical cheating? Let us know in the comments!
