Therapist Jenna Nielsen defined emotional cheating as “Getting emotional support from another individual or sharing an intimate emotional connection that is more than a friendship. People who emotionally cheat feel “guilty” or like they are “betraying” their current partner. ”
Olivia emotionally cheated on her partner, “It felt like cheating because I let them in in a way that felt unfaithful. I was indulging in their attention and although I didn’t cross the physical line, I knew my partner wouldn’t like it – I hid it from her and that’s what made it cheating.”
While friendships are healthy, frequent communication that feels too intimate or makes you want to hide it from your partner can indicate emotional cheating.
- Sharing your inner world (your thoughts, feelings, fears, etc.) with someone else while closing off to your partner
- Acting like you’re in a relationship with someone, just without the physical side
- Having strong emotions for someone else and letting them know (i.e., acting on it)
- Hiding a relationship from your partner because you feel guilty or are worried about what they might think
Virtual Cheating (Inappropriate Communication)
Cheating via social media or any other online platform or medium probably falls within the realm of emotional cheating. Still, it deserves its own category because it’s so prolific in our day and age.
The phrase “Sliding into someone’s DMs” has an undertone of doing something taboo, and many people, regardless of their relationship status, seem to take part.
Contacting someone online to flirt, exchange sexual pictures, or meet up in person can be considered cheating if you don’t tell your partner about it and hide it from them.
The question is, what is the intention behind someone’s online behavior? And would they like it if their partner acted in the same way? İncele
