Unveiling the Truth About Micro-Cheating: Signs and Solutions

What are the signs of micro-cheating? You've seen him doing things that make you think he might be cheating. He's being secretive, distant, or playing dumb. You want to trust him, but something inside your heart and mind is screaming danger ahead. Is he telling you the truth or is he micro-cheating?

You express your concerns to him and he responds with such confidence on his face:

• "We're just friends"
• "It's strictly work"
• "You're making a big deal out of this"
• "There's nothing going on"
• "It's not what you think"
• "You're crazy"

You feel uncertain and are unsure what to believe. Deeply, you want to think and believe the best of him. It's much easier to doubt your own intuition. After all you don't have the facts. Is wishful thinking the best way to handle this difficult situation? Many experts would say, definitely not!

Equip yourself with the facts. Understanding what micro cheating is will help you decide your next steps. Learning how micro cheating shows up in real life gives you a way to determine what behavior is acceptable or not. With these tools in hand you'll be more confident in how you talk about this matter and the decisions you make. 

What is Micro-cheating?

A definition of micro cheating is:

Micro cheating is the seemingly harmless and questionable behavior that borderlines cheating, betrayal or infidelity.

It involves keeping secrets and or having an emotional connection with another person. Some behaviors are warning signs that an emotional affair has begun or there is a hidden affair partner. From this, a feeling of discomfort and suspicion arises in the relationship. And there may be increasing conflict or distance in the primary relationship. 

How you define micro-cheating depends on your unique personality and preferences. 

Is micro-cheating the same as cheating?

Yes, sometimes. It's important to understand that micro-cheating comes before or during cheating. Often, the micro-cheating behaviors are proof of an existing emotional or sexual relationship with another person. Or, it can show the intent to start one. However, this is not always the case. 

Is micro-cheating different from cheating?

On the other hand, micro-cheating behaviors can be simply suspicious and truly harmless. Meaning there is nothing to hide under the surface. However, they may be risky behaviors that hurt their partner.  Every couple is different and can agree on what is or is not harmless conduct. 

For example, a man in a relationship complements another woman. The partner may be hurt by this, or his positivity might be appreciated. It all depends on what behaviors are acceptable to a couple. At any time in the relationship this line could change and should be discussed.

Below, potentially troublesome behaviors are given in the micro-cheating list. Each couple must decide what is and what is not micro-cheating.

The Micro-cheating List

Some of the micro-cheating behaviors that cause hurt or suspicion are:

Micro-cheating on the phone

• Freaks out when you go to borrow their phone, or jump on their computer. (An open book has nothing to hide.) 
• Always keeps his phone with him. 
• Sudden little changes in phone habits like taking it to the bathroom or sleeping with it under their pillow. 
• Keep their phone face downwards.
• Only answer their phone when you aren't close by.
• Hide their phone or computer screen from you.
• Suddenly spend more time texting or chatting online.
• Laugh at a message but say it was nothing when you ask about it.
• Enter a person into their phone as a code or under a different name.
• Cover his tracks by deleting calls or texts or clear his browsing history.

Micro-cheating on social media

• Follows the kind of people on social media that they are attracted to.
• Follows their exes on social media
• Friend, follow, and often check an individuals posts and/or send comments with emojis.
• Looks at or registered on a dating app.

Micro-cheating with you

• Give too many details when they usually don't explain what they did in such detail.
• Introduces a woman friend to the family and involves her with the family. 
• Has you do a favor for his woman coworker or friend. 
• Doesn't let you see or check their bank statements.
• Can't explain receipts or tickets you find.
• Flirts with others and enjoy and/or encourage being flirted with.
• Becomes withdrawn, sulky, resentful, or unable to discuss things that concern you.
• Stops inviting you to events or start going out alone.
• Has secrets he doesn't share with you.
• Talks positively about another woman to inspire your confidence in her trustworthiness. 

Micro-cheating at work

• Stays late at work or goes in early regularly.
• Has after work drinks or lunches or out of hours work calls with a colleague they find attractive.
• Keeps his work schedule and work contacts private or vague. 
• Makes excuses for you to not engage with his business contacts. 

Micro-cheating with others

• Makes friends with people they are attracted to.
• Gets coffee, goes to lunches, or socially meets with someone without telling you. 
• Dresses differently and suddenly become more aware of fitness and diet and their personal appearance.
• Gets regular massages from an attractive masseuse.
• Visits strip clubs or uses porn.
• Does recreational activities with another woman. 
• Buys costly gifts for another woman in appreciation for favors. 
• Blows up when you express concern over any of the above behaviors.

These cheating behaviors could be signs he's looking for a relationship with someone else, or he already has an emotional or sexual connection with another woman. Hard to believe when you love him, but quite possible.

Micro-cheating Examples:

Finding the truth isn't easy sometimes, but micro-cheating psychology can help uncover what is being hidden. Look for these red flags when discussing your concerns with him: 

• If your partner is suddenly talking a lot about somebody.  (Being half truthful is easier than keeping everything hidden for some people.)
• If you observe an increase in their energy when they discuss this person.  
• If you expressed any concern and were told that “they are just a friend.” Note the defensive word “just”.
• If they can stop working with someone you are concerned about and they keep working with them.
• If they start acting differently in bed, like trying new things or being more or less interested in you physically.
• If they seem to be looking for and valuing another persons approval or opinion above yours.
• If your partner's friends cheat or have cheated in the past without remorse. (We tend to have friends with similar morals and values.)
• If their eyes no longer 'connect' with you when you go out or go to a party. (Watching their eyes may tell you what they are not saying.)

Any of these may indicate he is lying to you, betraying you. A growing connection with someone else and distance with you may show that there is something he is hiding from you. It will show in how he relates to you day to day. 

How do I know if he's cheating on me?

Often the behaviors of micro cheating show up as signs of ongoing cheating that has been hidden from you. Micro cheating has the word cheating in it because it is a very real form of cheating. And if you are concerned or hurt by your partner's subtle or even questionable behavior, consider how you want to discuss it. Because micro-cheating does feel like a betrayal.

The golden question to help clarify whether something is appropriate or not is to ask yourself if your partner would still be doing/watching/saying/looking at this if you were standing beside them? Micro cheating often involves the keeping of secrets.

Whenever we suspect our partner is not fully honest with us, we are not wrong to check in or share our concerns with them. Our partner's response to our concerns will tell us so much about the health of the relationship and their commitment to it. It is hard, but we need to approach the topic of micro-cheating from a place of calm inquiry, not an accusation. If our partner feels accused or has our finger pointing at them, defensiveness would be a normal response.

Talking about micro-cheating with your partner 

Sharing your concerns with thoughtful questions using concrete examples can open a helpful conversation between you. i.e., I noticed that you had stopped taking calls in front of me; like yesterday, when the phone rang, you ignored it, but then I saw you outside talking to someone else on your phone. This behavior left me feeling concerned about our relationship and how open we are with each other. Is there something we need to discuss? Keep the conversation about how the behaviors made you feel, your concerns for the relationship, and how you want to proceed.

Unfortunately, partners engaged in any form of cheating are usually defensive when questioned about specific behaviors. They can become angry, act offended, or even turn the table on the innocent party and accuse them of cheating. A defensive partner can be very upsetting and leave you even more concerned about whether they are micro-cheating.

Micro-Cheating Boundaries

On the other hand, a faithful engaged partner would be concerned about you and want to understand why we were feeling threatened or worried. If your partner meets you with an open mind and is willing to share their side of the story as well as hearing yours, you can both grow from the experience. Boundaries can be reviewed and safety restored to the relationship. It is important that you both agree on what is OK behavior and what is considered cheating in the relationship.

Sharing our concerns for the relationship is a healthy trust building conversation.

Restoring Safety

It can be a difficult and painful realization if you're feeling uncertain about the boundaries of your relationship. It may be that your partner has crossed or is dangerously close to crossing a relational boundary. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to know for certain unless they admit to it or are caught.

However, if you feel that something is wrong in your relationship, it's important to take that feeling seriously. It's not uncommon for betrayed wives to struggle with concerns of infidelity, and it's important to remember that you are not alone in this experience.

As a betrayed wife, I understand the pain and trauma that infidelity can cause, and I am here to support you. If you're struggling and need someone to talk to, I encourage you to schedule a free call with me. I have made myself available to help others navigate the complexities of infidelity and offer a safe space for you to share your concerns. Whether you're worried about your partner's behavior or need to discuss the concept of micro-cheating, I am here to listen and provide guidance. Reaching out for support is an important step in finding peace of mind and healing.

Much love

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