6 Things That Count As Cheating Even Though They’re Not Physical

We all understand the concept of infidelity. The betrayal by the one we cherish the most leads us to overlook all the joyful moments shared because regaining trust feels impossible.

In my view, cheating is a form of self-disrespect, not just toward yourself, me, but the entire relationship, rendering it devoid of any redeeming qualities.

In today’s world, with a plethora of communication channels available and our interactions online, we’ve seen the emergence of new forms of cheating.

Upon reflection, you’ll realize that every one of these behaviors qualifies as cheating, even if there is no physical involvement.

1. Erasing messages

While it’s understandable he might want to declutter old messages, if you’ve ever checked his phone and found a complete absence of texts, it’s time to be concerned.

Wiping text conversations is indicative of concealing actions and not being fully transparent. Can one truly trust someone who does this?

If he believes that whatever he’s hiding could provoke your anger, it likely will.

2. Being too close with friends

No one expects you to sacrifice friendships for a romantic partner, but in a relationship, it is essential to maintain a boundary with individuals who may develop feelings for you.

This is why if you notice him getting overly friendly with a female friend—excessive hugging, secretive jokes, or sidelining you—you should recognize this behavior as a form of infidelity.

3. Engaging in dating platforms

People create profiles on dating sites primarily to seek companionship—be it romantic or just for a casual encounter.

If he still has a Tinder account, why would that be the case if he’s not on the hunt for connections? Wasn’t he supposed to deactivate these profiles when entering a new relationship?

This is why if you discover your partner active on dating apps, you are entirely justified in addressing the issue!

Related: 11 Boundaries for Boyfriend’s Female Friends That Should Be Maintained

4. Admiring others

If you’ve seen him eyeing or even flirting with someone else, that is undeniably cheating.

Don’t let anyone convince you that their flirtation is harmless; if he truly valued you, his attention would be solely directed at you.

Grabbing your hand while checking out a woman in a revealing outfit is utterly disrespectful.

5. Maintaining contact with an ex

Remaining friends with an ex is challenging, especially when you have a new partner. They may feel insecure, leading to conflict.

However, consistently meeting your ex, texting them, or even keeping mementos from that past relationship is lack of respect.

If he claims it’s just friendship despite your discomfort, remember that they once shared intimacy and that bond is not easily forgotten.

6. Engaging in sexting

Although it lacks physical contact, it closely resembles cheating. Discovering your partner sending intimate images or crafting erotic texts about others brings profound sadness.

Fantasizing about someone outside your relationship while professing love for another is simply not healthy.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to define what constitutes cheating. If it triggers feelings of insecurity and your partner continues engaging with someone else, they clearly aren’t committed to you.

Establish boundaries that clarify your comfort levels and discuss these with your partner. It’s vital for sustaining mutual happiness in the future.