Are you or your partner guilty of ‘micro-cheating’?

We all either have done it or seen our significant other doing it: Engaging in small, flirty chat, giving puppy eyes to someone on the streets. Believe it or not, these small, seemingly insignificant details can destroy your relationship.

Forbes defines micro-cheating as behaviors and interactions which, although not as blatant as direct cheating, make you question your partner’s commitment to your relationship.

These actions can seem very innocent: Texting someone they find attractive all the time, or continuously liking someone’s social media post.

However, these small things can very slowly erode confidence and interest in your relationship.

Image: @Heftiba / Unsplash

Here are some tell-tale signs of ‘micro-cheating’ to watch for.

First off, there’s telling strangers that you are single. You aren’t cheating on your partner, but you aren’t closing off the door quite yet.

Some people might go as far as still keeping their dating app profiles “just in case”.

Another sign is keeping in touch with your ex without telling your current significant other. Perhaps you want to keep your friendship, but secrecy seldom leads to something good.

Finding the emotional support you need from a partner, particularly in an ex or someone you could be romantically connected with, is also a concerning symptom.

However, a 2020 study, published by Psychological Reports, argues that micro-cheating could be a sign of a bigger issue in your relationship.

Lack of trust, support, and communication with your significant other can be the small cracks that bring down your relationship.