Micro-Cheating What It Is & Signs You're Unintentionally Doing It

If cheating is a grey area for some, then what is micro-cheating? And have you done this type of cheating without knowing it?

Cheating may seem like a straightforward thing. But micro-cheating is an even more complicated territory. What exactly is it?

For some, cheating is if you kiss or sleep with someone that is not your partner, you are cheating. That makes sense. But everyone has their own idea of what cheating is.

To some, flirting is cheating and to others, it is completely innocent. To some only physical acts are cheating and to others, it includes having feelings for someone, even if you don't act on them.

What is micro-cheating?

Micro-cheating is essentially a small act of cheating. Now, what does that mean? It is the act of being disloyal to your partner, but on a smaller scale than traditional cheating.

Does that make it right? No, not at all. But it does make it a little less wrong depending who you are talking to.

For me personally, I have been cheated on so any cheating in my book, even of micro proportions is a no-no. I find that micro-cheating can often times lead to legitimate cheating.

But from others' perspectives, micro-cheating can be considered totally innocent or even healthy for a relationship as long as both partners feel the same.

Is micro-cheating infidelity?

Once again, it depends who you talk to. What matters is what you and your current or future partner believe to be considered cheating. Infidelity, however, is the act of being unfaithful to your partner, and micro-cheating falls into that grey area.

It can be argued both ways. So you and your partner need to decide what is okay and what is over the line. This way, you can both ensure you are not going out of the bounds of your relationship, especially to a point where your partner feels betrayed.

What are some examples of micro-cheating?

Micro-cheating is not what you know and recognize as cheating. It is usually quite a bit less obvious and a bit more subtle. It can be a small gesture, a flirty phrase, or a drunk lapse in judgment.

#1 Texting someone you're attracted to. You may have read that and thought “what the heck.” And you would be right. Texting someone attractive doesn't have to mean anything, but neither does micro-cheating.

Texting someone is fine, but if this is someone you would possibly date if you were single, it is micro-cheating. Think, if your partner would be upset by this, it is a form of cheating. What would make this behavior actual cheating? Changing their name in your phone to hide it from your partner.

That takes it from innocent chatting to hidden sketchy texts.

#2 Telling people you're single. A guy buys you a drink at the bar and you flirt for a bit. That is pretty innocent. But if he asks you if you are single and you lie, that is micro-cheating. We all think about the single life while we are in a relationship, but actually being in front of someone that can make that a reality is disloyal.

Why would you feel the need to downplay or completely lie about having a boyfriend? If it is solely to get free drinks for the night, okay. But if you are enjoying the attention of another guy and are comfortable letting him believe you are not involved, that is micro-cheating.

#3 Keeping secrets. Any lying in a relationship is not good. But lying because you know your partner would be upset tells you that you probably shouldn't be doing what you're doing in the first place. If you have to lie about what you're doing, it is wrong.

#4 Talking to an ex. If you and an ex work together or share a friend group, that's fine. But if you reach out to an ex on your former anniversary, that is micro-cheating. If you feel guilty for talking to them or wouldn't want your partner to find out, it is micro-cheating.

#5 Being on a dating app. Whether you are chatting people up or just mindlessly swiping to see what is out there, that is micro-cheating. There is no need to be on a dating app when you are in a healthy relationship. And any desire to be on a dating app while you are with someone should be a red flag that something isn't right.

#6 Disrespecting your partner. You may not have intended to sleep with or even kiss anyone other than your partner, but pushing an interaction right up until that breaking point is micro-cheating. You may not be cheating, but you are doing everything but.

#7 Emotionally cheating. Just because there was no physical connection does not mean you weren't cheating. Connecting with someone emotionally while you are dating someone else is micro-cheating and leading into more. Some would say this is even worse than physical cheating.

#8 Checking up on someone. With social media, there are so many ways to micro-cheat. Liking Kim Kardashian's bikini post would not be micro-cheating, but commenting heart eyes on your college girlfriend's bikini pic could be. Repeatedly going back to someone's profile could also be considered micro-cheating.

It really depends on the reasons why you are doing these things, and if your partner's okay with it.

#9 Hitting on strangers. It is one thing to be hit on and flirt back, but making that move first is definitely micro-cheating. In fact, it is right on the verge of actual cheating. Even if you are being your friend's wingman or wingwoman, that is a sly excuse to micro-cheat.

#10 Having dreams about someone else is NOT micro-cheating. You cannot control your subconscious. So even if you had a sex dream about another person, it could mean a lot of things. As long as you don't make that dream come true, you are fine here.

Are you guilty of micro-cheating?

If you think you may have micro-cheated, the chances are you have. Usually, if you're thinking that you may have overstepped the limits of your relationship or are feeling guilty, it is because you did something to feel guilty for. And micro-cheating is that thing.

Should you come clean?

That depends. In my book, you should always be 100% honest. Others say what your partner doesn't know can't hurt them. But in fact, it can, and it can hurt you.

If you feel guilty even for something minor that you know won't happen again, your partner has the right to know. What if the situation were reversed? Wouldn't you want to know?

Your behavior changes when you feel guilty. You may even become suspicious of your partner's behavior, pushing them away. You also might think that you already micro-cheated, so how different is cheating really?

All of these things lead to a crack in your relationship. If you realize you micro-cheated, you may want to come clean. Let your partner know you weren't even aware of it until later and wanted to be honest so they would know it was a mistake and wouldn't happen again.

Lying about micro-cheating

If you decide to hide your micro-cheating past from your partner, it can be a slippery slope. If you know you flirted with a coworker or thought about your ex in the shower, you may be able to forget about it and move on without a discussion. No big deal, right?

Sure as long as it really was no big deal. Often times, these are small lapses in judgment. I've been there. I had a boyfriend but was being hit on by a cute salesman. I flirted back for a few minutes before leaving to never speak to him again. That is something that didn't alter my relationship at all.

But if I went back to that counter weekly to continue to flirt, that would be more serious. Micro-cheating can very easily be a gateway into cheating. So as long as you know where the line is and don't cross it, you may not have to share every flirty detail with your partner.

Just try not to make micro-cheating a regular occurrence, it can be dangerous. A good way to think about it is, don't do anything you wouldn't want your partner doing.

Why is micro-cheating so bad?

You might think if micro-cheating is so subtle, what is the big deal? Well, one or two little hiccups may not be a big deal. But if micro-cheating becomes a pattern, it can be serious.

Not only can micro-cheating cause uncertainty, jealousy, and even obsessiveness for the “victim,” but it can create tension in the relationship for both partners. The person doing the micro-cheating is essentially taking advantage of their partner by getting away with as much as they can without it “technically” being cheating.

How to talk about micro-cheating?

Micro-cheating is a sensitive subject to approach. Because it is such a small or subtle behavior, getting upset about it can come off as rash and paranoid. This can cause the person who is micro-cheating to become defensive.

Any discussions about micro-cheating need to remain calm. You and your partner should not accuse or jump to conclusions, rather share how certain behaviors make you feel and what you can both do to do better.

Micro-cheating does not have a clear-cut definition. But as long as you and your partner remain open and honest, micro-cheating shouldn't come between you.