9 Non-Physical Acts That Count As Cheating

Cheating doesn’t have to be physical. Emotional cheating is a terrible offense, too. It can completely ruin a relationship, so you need to be careful. Here are some non-physical acts that most people would consider cheating:

“Outsourcing your emotional support and connection to someone else. It’s not like there are concrete rules for what is exclusively reserved for a significant other and what isn’t, or what is appropriate to share with friends and what isn’t, but it definitely feels wrong, and usually indicates a relationship is on its last leg, when one of the people in a relationship start ‘outsourcing’ their emotional support to the degree and nature typically reserved for the significant other to someone else. It’s not so much the what is shared or how much but that it is specifically shared with someone else but not the significant other. Suddenly the partner doesn’t know what your deepest insecurities are, or what’s troubling you right now, or how you feel about things, life, work, the relationship, each other, or what you hope for the future, or what you want to vent about that day, or really anything, but that other random person does know. I think it shows that a person’s communication, support, and companionship needs are not met, and it’s pretty much what people call emotional cheating. One person to be there physically to cuddle, kiss, and talk to about your day, and another to really hear you, hear what you have to get off of your chest, and support you through it.” — PckMan

“When you keep giving hope to someone who is clearly in love with you. If a guy/girl drops everything for you, does more than all your other friends and your partner does for you, will spend mountains on money on you, cook and clean for you, and pretty much advertises themselves as a great partner, that isn’t ‘just friendship’ and everyone involved knows it.” — kamalaophelia

“Talking and meeting up with other people in secret. If you don’t want to tell me, it’s because you know you’re doing something you shouldn’t.” — gardin000

“Work spouses. So icky! The closest I’ve ever felt to a coworker is like they’re a sibling. They’re always a little annoying but you have each other’s backs. Seems way more fitting than calling them a spouse.” — Whozadeadbody

“Financial cheating: loaning our joint money to anyone without a discussion first.” — Cute-Connection

“Messaging people heart emojis and flirting over text and not setting boundaries with people that obviously like you.” — pleasebefr_

“Keeping secrets. Cheating is a violation of trust, not just infidelity. Trickle truthing is also BS yeah, slowly revealing hard truths just to keep from taking full accountability.” — Guilty-Minute8711

“Following many people who make explicit content on IG, X, or Onlyfans. I know we all have fantasies and the right to satisfy ourselves but show some respect towards your partner. If you still need to consume that type of content while having a girlfriend, better not waste her time.” — _Puke_Bucket_

“When your partner tells somebody else that they love them, I’d say that’s a big red flag. Sharing things you aren’t telling your partner. Talking negatively about your relationship. Good morning and good night texts or emails that you hide. Basically, any communication you have to hide isn’t ok. It’s called emotionally infidelity for a reason. It’s not physical, but it’s still infidelity.” — dudeness-aberdeen