Micro-cheating is a term used to describe behaviors that are not traditionally considered true infidelity, but that have some features of infidelity, like dishonesty and secrecy while in a committed relationship. It involves engaging in inappropriate behaviors or interactions that teeter around the edges of intimacy or attempts facilitating intimacy with other people. Micro-cheating can breach a couple’s spoken or unspoken norms, trust, and boundaries in other ways. It is subjective and what counts as micro-cheating to one person might not make sense to the next person. Here are some examples of behaviors that may be considered micro-cheating:
- Cultivating intimate or erotic energy with others
- Cultivating a fantasy of emotional closeness with others
- Seeking out repeated intimate interactions with exes
- Seeking out repeated intimate interactions with people you find attractive
- Revisiting a person when you feel upset in your committed romantic relationship
Micro-cheating can lead to a slow erosion of trust, which can spell disaster for a relationship. It can start off innocently but end up as adultery. If micro-cheating has become an issue in a relationship, it is important to directly discuss it with the partner and for the person who has been micro-cheating to understand how it makes their partner feel and to commit to changing their behavior.
