The best relationships are based on three foundations- trust, truth, and love. We can all cross those lines that equate themselves with faithfulness by unintended, small and often innocent actions. We refer to it as micro-cheating signs tiny actions that don’t involve sexual relations, but can damage or hurt a relationship nonetheless.
If you have ever had a gut feeling you sensed “something was off” with your partner, use this blog to better understand and decipher subtle signs and determine what might be worth talking about.
What is Micro-Cheating?
Micro-cheating is not an actual affair or emotional cheating, but rather it’s those small things that seem to fall under the radar. For example:
- Flirty texts or playful texts
- Keeping conversations away from you
- Too many likes or comments on someone’s posts
- A co-worker’s number saved under a different name
While these appear harmless, if happening repeatedly, then they may signal a distance of emotional connection. What makes it difficult is the ambiguity of the signs of micro-cheating because they may be masked behind “it’s just casual” or “you’re just overthinking it.”
Common Subtle Signs You Should Not Overlook
All relationships have their limits, but small secrets are piling up and you need to take notice. Here are some subtle signals to take note of:
1. Phone Privacy: If your partner exhibits extreme phone privacy by always putting their phone face down or is taking calls in another room, it could indicate that there is something to hide.
2. Emotional Sharing with Another Person: Sharing your greatest fears, dreams, or relationship problems with another person confers emotional intimacy outside of the bond you have with your partner. Although having friends you confide in is normal, it prioritizes someone else over you giving way to maybe one of the early signs of micro cheating.
3. Social Media Engagement: Engagement with a specific person in social media may seem innocent but social media commitment can lean toward blurred boundaries if you message your engagement at all times, comment frequently, and/or react to all of the person’s stories and ask if they can talk at any time of the night.
How to Handle Micro-Cheating Without Overreacting
The finding of these patterns does not necessarily spell doom for your relationship. Communication about these problems is the key. To fix this:
- Maintain a calm, rational mood and avoid ‘putting the blame on the person’. Discuss how particular things have made you feel rather than pointing someone out.
- Define your own limitations: Each relationship defines loyalty in its own way; make sure you both agree on the same thing.
- Observe for consistency: Micro-cheating acts that are one-off do not usually mean much, but if you observe constant signs of it, then serious discussions need to ensue.
At times, one partner may feel guilty for something that the other partner does not even notice. Honest discussions of this nature will help prevent small cracks from turning into a canyon.
Some Last Thoughts
Every aspect of our modern digital life seems to be designed to attract our attention and disturb our emotions. Just because micro-cheating may not necessarily indicate that the partner is unfaithful to you, still it is quite hazardous to neglect these minor signs even in case they seem indifferent in your emotional bond. If an unexplainable feeling of discomfort comes over you, then go with your gut but also consider a dose of rational talk with your partner.
Don’t forget that the key to successful relationships is honesty. The quicker you confront these minor fissures, the more your base will turn out to be firm.
