Love, a strange mix of passion, trust, arguments, and doubts, can shatter very easily. Many couples separate not because of infidelity, but due to subtle, even seemingly trivial behaviors that accumulate over time. Experts refer to this as “micro-cheating.” Here’s how to avoid such an irreversible situation!
How Does Micro-Cheating Present Itself?
Melanie Schilling, a couple’s psychology expert, is one of the authorities who popularized the term micro-cheating. According to her, these are “behaviors that cause a person to question their partner’s emotional or physical commitment in the relationship.”
These small attentions given to someone else, when they accumulate, can be detrimental to the relationship. They manifest through glances, compliments, and even messages that say it all! Even if the partner has no intention of being unfaithful, a part of their heart already belongs to someone else.
It’s hard to admit, but micro-cheating is a real phenomenon. So, beware of responses like “No, you’re just imagining things.” As soon as they start hiding things from you or deleting messages, something serious is brewing! Here’s how to save your relationship while there’s still time!
Secrets That Build Up Over Time!
Nowadays, we spend most of our time in front of our phones or computers. Interacting with others and discovering new ideas is great. However, social networks are also the playground where micro-cheating most often occurs. Fortunately, it’s quite easy to uncover!
The first sign, of course, lies in messages, but not just any messages. A name frequently appears at the top of your partner’s instant messaging conversation. The clever ones use ephemeral messages to avoid getting caught. Still, there are always ways to trace them!
Next, look for likes on a particular person’s photos. They leave adorable and seemingly innocent comments. But it’s definitely micro-cheating! If they talk about this person frequently, it means they haven’t crossed the red line yet. It’s a good idea to initiate an open discussion and introduce the concept!
Less Obvious But More Revealing Signals!
Your partner’s change in appearance should raise a red flag. They take time to look good and spend hours getting ready before going out. However, they only do this when planning to meet that specific person! Be cautious, as micro-cheating may not be far off.
Some people do not hesitate to conceal their own relationship to deceive their partner. According to psychologist Abby Medcalf: “It can also involve behaviors that help someone hide their relationship, leaving it open to someone else, like not posting their partner on social media or downplaying the relationship in conversations.”
The final sign of micro-cheating is overt flirting with someone of the opposite sex. At this point, there’s no hesitation—infidelity is knocking at the door. The partner will never admit to it, as they believe they’ve done nothing wrong. However, the doubt it causes in the other person can be devastating! A serious discussion is necessary!
