4 SIGNS OF AN EMOTIONAL AFFAIR AND WHAT IT IS
So, let’s just dive right into it. Emotional affairs. It came recently in one of our previous posts on cheating scenarios, but what does it really mean? There are of course people who would argue that having an emotional connection with someone is basically a friendship, right? As long as you’re not flirting. I see where you’re coming from and I have definitely had that thought myself, so I decided to look into it. Emotional affairs can often start as a friendship, it’s essentially when you’re being emotionally intimate with someone who isn’t your partner. This encompasses flirting, opening up to them in a way you usually reserve for your partner and mutual attraction. Even though nothing physical has happened between you, it’ll either be discussed or the undertones of it possibly happening are there. So, with all that in mind, here are 4 signs of an emotional affair…
-
You’re always thinking of the person
When they’re always on your mind, no matter what you’re doing. If this happens, regardless of if your partner is there and you start to find yourself counting down the time till you can see or interact with them again, this could be the sign of an emotional affair. This can quickly extend to you wanting them to think about you too, so you start thinking of ways to get their attention like dressing up when you know you’re going to see each other etc.
_______________________________________________
Whether you’re just chilling together or on a date
night, you’re imagining what life would be like if your
partner was this other person.
_______________________________________________
-
You frequently compare your partner to them
When you’re with your partner and starting to wonder whether whatever you’re doing would be more fun with this other person you’re connecting with, it’s definitely emotional affair territory. Whether you’re just chilling together or on a date night, you’re imagining what life would be like if your partner was this other person. Maybe you’re finding yourself getting annoyed with your partner and comparing how this other person would never act the way they do, it’s dangerous thinking for sure. If you want to find out potential matches stance on cheating, check out CLiKD.
-
They become the first person you share everything with
Whenever you have big news, like getting a promotion or they’ve become your go to person when you’re having a tough day, this is leading them to becoming your main person. If they’re the first person to come to mind when you want to talk about things instead of your partner, it’s clear that you’re connecting with this other person in a more intimate way. That, coupled with the need to be in frequent, constant contact with them (whether it’s DMs or texts) are signs of an emotional affair.
_______________________________________________
Look at it this way, how would you feel if the situation
was reversed? If you know that you’d feel any sort of
betrayal of trust, then what you’re doing is wrong and
an emotional affair.
_______________________________________________
-
You’re starting to keep your interactions with them secret
Honestly (unless you’re planning a fun surprise for your partner like a birthday party) once you start keeping things secret, there’s definitely a problem. If you’re hiding how close you and this other person have gotten, from how often you talk or how often you see each other, it’s getting shady up in here! For one, if you’re hiding it, it shows that you think you’re doing something wrong. Look at it this way, how would you feel if the situation was reversed? If you know that you’d feel any sort of betrayal of trust, then what you’re doing is wrong and an emotional affair.
So, there you have it! 4 signs of an emotional affair. The ramifications of one can be long lasting, especially in terms of trying to build back trust in a relationship. Even if things don’t become physical, it’s still an issue of trust. For many, an emotional affair is actually worse than a purely physical one. It’s an even deeper level of intimacy. Something to bear in mind, just saying!
RELATED CONTENT:
CATEGORY | RELATIONSHIP ADVICE
6 CHEATING SCENARIOS: FROM THE OBVIOUS TO THE SURPRISING
