Are You Micro-Cheating In Your Relationship?

Micro-cheating, according to TIME, refers to a smaller range of behaviors that approaches the line of infidelity without fully crossing it. As explained by MindBodyGreen, micro-cheating is not quite as blatant as a physical affair because each couple defines it differently according to their limits. These gestures can be as subtle as frequently sharing content that you find amusing with a friend of the opposite sex, stalking their social media with hopes of probing into their personal life, or fantasizing about them. 

Even though these seemingly insignificant behaviors are not an explicit demonstration of infidelity, Fatherly notes that they can spiral into emotional infidelity, and eventually cheating if left unchecked. Even if micro-cheating is rarely overt enough to make you feel guilty or give your partner a cause for concern, it can nevertheless endanger your relationship in the long run. So, how can you tell if you have crossed the thin line between fidelity and infidelity?

According to Insider, you might be micro-cheating if you go the extra mile to reconnect or subtly flirt with your ex on social media. If that's the case, ask yourself about your real intentions, whether you're interested in rekindling an old flame or simply hoping to get back on friendly terms with them. Once you've done that, be honest with your partner about your innermost motives and feelings, as sexologist Dr. Jessica O'Reilly explained to Men's Health.

Also, you might want to take a step back if you find yourself repeatedly scrolling through someone's feed, tagging yourself in their posts, as well as dropping heart emojis and jesting comments on their pics. If you connect with that person more frequently and ardently on social media than you do with your lover or spouse, you should seriously consider your agenda for that person. Regularly browsing and liking an individual's social media posts is a typical indicator of something untoward going on, psychology professor Dr. Martin Graff told BBC.

According to Verywell Mind, reaching out to an individual who is neither your friend nor kin whenever you're upset with your partner might be a sign of an emotional affair.

Every committed relationship hits a snag from time to time, and it's perfectly healthy to confide in your friends or family. However, it might not be a good idea to frequently get in touch with your attractive coworker or an understanding gym buddy with whom you believe you share a unique chemistry. When you're vulnerable, you can easily come to the conclusion that the individual is truly attuned to your needs and understands you better than your partner. As a result, Healthline points out, you can't help but idealize this person and wish your partner could be more like them. If you don't take time to refocus your expectations, you'll lose emotional as well as physical attraction to your partner and find your commitment to your relationship weakened.

The bottom line is that emotional adultery can be heartbreaking whether it is intentional or not. If there's any solution to avoiding the treacherous waters of forbidden fruits and broken trust, it is lots of heart-to-heart conversations. Communication is vital to forging a strong connection, reinforcing intimacy, and rebuilding trust. Getting professional support is not a bad idea if you want to have a healthier relationship in the long run but don't know where to start.