You could be cheating on your partner unknowingly.
Have you ever found yourself in that grey area of flirting while already in a relationship? You know, having playful chats with a cute coworker or exchanging cheeky smiles with a hot barista? Unsure whether your behavior crosses the line? Pay attention to these 9 glaring red flags that you've gone too far.
1. You keep it a secret from your partner.
So, have you been sneaking around, deleting texts, and hiding your conversations? Big yikes! Here's the deal: if you're bending over backward to cover your tracks, it's because, deep down, you know your behavior isn't exactly kosher.
2. You dress up to impress them.
It's totally cool to want to look amazing, but if you're going the extra mile just to impress that cutie at work or your gym crush, you might want to check yourself. When you're dressing to kill, it should be for you and your partner's enjoyment, not to catch someone else's eye.
3. You indulge in fantasies about the other person.
It's natural to notice good-looking people around you, but if you're daydreaming about getting intimate or having a happily-ever-after with someone other than your partner, you're treading on thin ice. Fantasizing about someone else is a warning sign that you're emotionally connecting with them, spelling trouble for your relationship.
4. You share things with the other person that you should only share with your partner.
When something good happens in your life, or you're having a rough day, who's the person you can't wait to tell all about it? If it's not your partner but that special someone you've got a crush on, you're creating an emotional bond that really belongs in your committed relationship.
5. You compare your crush with your partner.
Have you caught yourself wishing your partner had some of your crush's traits? That's a red flag, my friend. Comparing your significant other to the person you've got a thing for could mean you're dissatisfied with your relationship and looking for a way out.
6. You find ways to run into them.
Let's face it, you jump at the chance to work with your office crush and make a point to show up at events when you know they'll be there. Be careful: you are straying into dangerous territory. Purposefully finding ways to be around them, especially when it's just the two of you, can be considered emotional infidelity.
7. You misrepresent your commitment to your partner.
When you chat with someone you find attractive, are you cagey about your partner's actual role in your life? Do you suggest you're just friends with them? Not only is that misleading, but it's also not fair to your significant other. If you're hiding the seriousness of your relationship, you hope your crush sees you as up for grabs.
8. You secretly stalk their social media accounts.
Alright, admit it – you've been glued to their social media profiles. Scrolling through their posts, keeping tabs on who they're following, and maybe even going down the rabbit hole of their tagged photos. If you find yourself glued to your crush's online presence more often than you'd like to admit, that's a warning sign.
9. You tell yourself it's not a big deal.
We all tell ourselves little fibs, but downplaying your feelings for someone else can be a slippery slope. Ignoring the signs now could lead to bigger issues down the line. Ask yourself this: if it really wasn't a big deal, why do you feel the need to downplay it or keep it a secret from your partner?