Specialists are discussing the ’emotional consequences’ associated with a relationship trend that could put your relationship at risk.
It’s a concerning time when a form of infidelity becomes so common that it turns into a trend. In today’s digital world, where technology is readily accessible, it becomes easier for individuals to stray emotionally.
It might be time to reflect on your phone usage and your partner’s as well.
This trend does not involve physical contact outside the relationship. Rather, it focuses on subtle actions that might breach a partner’s trust.
Helen Robertson highlighted four crucial signs that many couples may recognize as part of this trend, as reported by news.com.au.
The topic at hand is Microcheating.
Microcheating includes actions like maintaining an active dating profile, secretly communicating with an ex, engaging in emotional affairs, or being flirtatious online. Even liking a large number of someone’s social media posts can be considered microcheating. These seemingly small acts, done discreetly, can damage trust and be perceived as microcheating.
But is it genuinely cheating if it doesn’t involve a deep emotional connection or physical interaction?
Ultimately, it is essential for partners to communicate and establish boundaries and expectations regarding what is considered cheating in their relationship.
Abby Medcalf, a psychologist from Berkeley, California, who hosts the Relationships Made Easy podcast, was quoted by the Post saying: “It’s cheating if your partner doesn’t like it, or doesn’t know about it, or wouldn’t like it if they knew about it.”
But how can one determine if their partner is engaging in microcheating?
If your partner frequently uses their phone and seems uneasy when you view their screen or answer calls near you, it might be a good time to have a conversation about boundaries using this article as a starting point.
William Schroeder, a therapist and owner of Just Mind Counseling centers in Austin, Texas, assures that if microcheating occurs, there is a path to recovery. He suggests that partners should evaluate what they truly desire and expect from their relationship and whether they can fulfill those needs for each other.
And what if you find yourself engaged in microcheating?
Ty Tashiro, psychologist and author of The Science of Happily Ever After: What Really Matters in the Quest for Enduring Love, explained to NBC: “Though micro-cheating does not involve physical contact with someone outside the committed relationship, it’s important to avoid the temptation to overemphasize the ‘micro’ part of the phrase and remember that ‘cheating’ is the operative word.”
“When one betrays a partner’s trust, there are always emotional consequences for the partner’s well-being and the integrity of the relationship.”