We tend to think of cheating as sleeping with someone else, but there are so many other ways to cheat on your significant other. You may not even realize you’re doing it because it seems so innocent and meaningless, but these tiny, random acts add up, and if you’re doing any of these things, eventually you might as well just throw in the relationship towel.
- Secretly keeping your Tinder account open, just in case. So many people who are coupled up think Tinder is tons of fun. Not sure what planet they’re on. If you wish you could swipe left or right to your heart’s content, why are you even in a relationship?
- Missing the single life. If you miss being single, that probably means you need to be single. Period. Actually, if you miss wondering if a guy is going to text and the crippling self-doubt, that’s just plain weird.
- Texting a guy friend/coworker 24/7. Of course it’s OK to have male friends — it would be weird if you didn’t. But you shouldn’t lean on that person for advice, inside jokes or support — that’s what your boyfriend should be giving you. If he’s not, you might want to think about that.
- Social media stalking other guys. You think it’s no big deal because everyone Facebook stalks, but it’s pretty dangerous if you keep tabs about all the guys you’ve dated on various social media platforms. If you’re truly happy with your current guy, you shouldn’t care what that guy you went on three dates with last winter is tweeting about.
- Daydreaming about your ex. Sure, you’re not calling him up and trying to see him, but if you find yourself dreaming about the one that got away on a regular basis, that’s basically cheating.
- Talking about past dates. You’re out with your single friends and they’re chatting away about their most recent dates as usual. Instead of listening and nodding your head, you start telling some stories of your own… except, of course, you’ve got a boyfriend now, so you tell your stories from way back. It’s kind of weird if you’re waxing poetic about the most amazing first dates you went on… that weren’t with your BF.
- Making solo future plans. It’s strange to think about what you want out of your life without thinking about the person you’re dating. If you’re tempted to move to another city or take a leave of absence from your job to travel the world, you might want to ask yourself why you’re not considering the person you supposedly love.
- Hiding the fact that you have a BF. You go to parties and events alone and never bring him up. You don’t mention him to your coworkers or tell your friends funny/sweet/adorably cheesy stories. You basically pretend like you don’t even have a boyfriend at all.
- Watching your show without him. If you don’t think this is cheating, you need to think again. Watching a TV show as a couple is super important. It’s a way to bond and spend time together. If you can’t wait a day or two to watch the finale of Making A Murderer or whatever Netflix show the world is currently freaking out over, you’re basically the worst girlfriend ever. How would you feel if the tables were turned?
