Emotional Infidelity in Marriage

Infidelity is harmful in any relationship whether emotional or physical. Considered as one of the prime reasons of divorce in most marriages, infidelity is one reason which should be avoided. Some people do believe that emotional infidelity cannot be termed as cheating, as there is no physical involvement between two people. Most of these people forget that emotions play a big part in strengthening a relationship. Therefore emotional cheating in a relationship is breaking the trust, which is the basic foundation of the relationship.

What is Emotional Infidelity?

Emotional cheating involves personal intimacy with someone else and not your spouse or partner. Emotional infidelity can hit a marriage or a relationship hard. Emotional infidelity is the new thing today. Almost every home in the US has about two computers which makes it easy for people to have an emotional affair with someone else. Emotional infidelity in a marriage or in a relationship can prove very dangerous, because it not only takes time and energy away from the marriage but also leads to extramarital affairs which puts an end to marriages. Many people are involved in emotional affairs because they are tempting. It's very easy to be close to someone with whom you have no commitment, no responsibility, no money issues and no children. It's very desirable to share your deepest feelings with someone whom you're not dating and are not married and this becomes more interesting when that someone who doesn't live with you and doesn't know or understand all your issues thinks you are wonderful. But trust me emotional cheating in a relationship is cheating no matter what you think and is a temporary way to gain attention. If this continues for a regular basis, you are bound to mess up your personal life.

Signs of Emotional Infidelity

Unlike physical infidelity, emotional infidelity is often dismissed by the cheating partner as "not cheating". Emotional affairs are pure hell but in disguised form and often leads to physical affairs. It begins when a spouse has developed a deep and meaningful friendship with someone who they feel attracted and share all their personal details but there is no physical contact between them.

• There is void in your relationship, your spouse is getting away from you both emotionally and physically.
• Your spouse brings up his/her friend's name and refers back to them in consistent ways. This is first sign that this friend always wanders in their thoughts and is occupying most of their thoughts.
• Your spouse spends more time with his/her special friend and less time with you.
• Your spouse or partner seeks emotional stability in his/her friend's company and not yours.

Surviving Emotional Infidelity

Emotional cheating in a relationship is heartbreaking for all of us. We all love to watch infidelity on TV but in reality it is a pain that I pray no one suffers. Surviving emotional infidelity in marriage takes courage and a lot of patience. Divorce seems an easier option, but surviving an extramarital affair can sometimes lead to a better future and deeper connections. It's often said "Marriages become strong after an extramarital affair". I can't vouch for this sentence because I don't know whether it really works. It depends upon two people. If you are ready to forgive and move on or you want to end it. Well if you are willing to give your partner one more shot, here are some points that will help you.

• If your spouse is guilty of an emotional affair, try to understand how did it happen. There are always two people who caused an unhappy marriage. Know both your roles and seek marriage counseling for both of you and find out why your relationship failed.
• Both of you are not perfect and accept that. You both should be ready to agree your mistakes and try to accept changes that will help you improve communication, interaction and commitment.
• Knowing everything about your spouse's relationship can actually increase your pain and lead to a permanent damage. Obviously you want answers to all your questions, but some questions can cause a lot of pain. So know your questions before you ask them.
• If your partner gives you a sincere apology and an honest assurance that this will never happen again, try to forget the thing. Don't bring up this topic during discussions or arguments.
• Let's go off the past, if you want to make your relationship work.

I hope this article on emotional infidelity in marriage has been a good read. If you come to know that your partner is emotionally cheating on you, talk the situation out. A successful relationship is one which survives all hurdles and comes out as a winner.