You’ve struck up a friendship with someone — maybe a coworker, someone from your gym, or an old high school friend you reconnected with on social media. At first, it was casual, friendly, and fun. You looked forward to seeing or hearing from them.
But lately, the friendship has started to feel different. Deeper. You find yourself sharing things with this person that you don’t even share with your partner. You find yourself confiding in them about problems in your relationship, and they’re always there to listen and offer support. You start to wonder, “Is this just a really close friendship, or is it something more?” Is this emotional cheating vs friendship, or something else entirely?
Emotional cheating happens when you develop a deep emotional connection with someone other than your partner. You might share intimate details about your life, thoughts, feelings, and secrets with this person. It doesn’t involve physical intimacy, but emotional cheating can be just as harmful to a relationship as physical infidelity.
This article will explore the complexities of emotional cheating vs friendship, delving into the causes, signs, and consequences of emotional infidelity. We’ll also provide practical tips for setting healthy boundaries and cultivating emotional intimacy within your committed relationships.
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