Infidelity is a sensitive topic that can deeply affect any romantic relationship. While most people are familiar with traditional forms of cheating, such as physical affairs, emotional affairs, or one-night stands, a relatively newer concept has emerged in recent years: “micro-cheating.” Micro-cheating involves subtle behaviours that may not be as overt as a full-blown affair but can still be detrimental to the trust and intimacy in a relationship.
What are the 5 warning signs that your partner is micro-cheating on you?
In this article, eminent marriage counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo explains the five warning signs of micro-cheating that you should be aware of.
- Excessive Texting or Messaging
One of the first signs of micro-cheating is when your partner starts texting or messaging someone else excessively, especially if they’re secretive about it. While maintaining friendships and connections outside of your relationship is perfectly healthy, if your partner is constantly glued to their phone, exchanging messages with someone you don’t know about, it can raise suspicions. Pay attention to their behaviour and whether they become defensive or guarded when you ask about their messaging habits.
- Hiding Social Media Activity
Social media has become a significant part of our lives, and it’s also a platform where micro-cheating can manifest. If your partner is suddenly secretive about their social media activity, like hiding their phone when they’re scrolling through Instagram or minimizing their browser window when they’re on Facebook, it could be a sign.
Additionally, look out for excessive “likes,” comments, or private messages to a particular person, especially if your partner has never mentioned them before.
- Keeping Secrets
Healthy relationships thrive on open communication and trust. When your partner starts keeping secrets, it can be a red flag. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re having a full-fledged affair, but hiding details about their day, who they’re spending time with, or where they’re going can indicate that something is amiss. Pay attention to their evasive responses when you ask simple questions about their life.
- Overly Complimentary Behavior
Excessive compliments and flirtatious behavior towards someone else, especially if it goes beyond what’s considered friendly or casual, can be a sign of micro-cheating. If your partner is constantly praising another person’s looks, intelligence, or personality in a way that makes you uncomfortable, it’s essential to address it and express your feelings. This behavior can blur the lines between friendship and emotional infidelity.
- Keeping Personal Information from You
Sharing personal information and experiences is a fundamental part of a healthy relationship. When your partner starts withholding certain aspects of their life or seems to be emotionally distant, it may indicate micro-cheating. If they’re discussing their problems, dreams, or fears with someone else but not with you, it can create a sense of exclusion and emotional distance in your relationship.
While micro-cheating may not always lead to a full-blown affair, it can still erode trust, intimacy, and the foundation of a healthy relationship. It’s crucial to remember that communication is key in addressing these warning signs.
If you notice any of these behaviours in your partner, consider having an open and honest conversation about your concerns. Building and maintaining trust in a relationship is essential, and addressing micro-cheating early can help prevent more significant issues from arising in the future.
Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counsellor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute. She is trained on specialised key relationship counselling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counsellors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practice independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.
