In Today’s Relationships, We Cheat On Each Other Literally Every Day

We’re not talking about sexual cheating (who has the time?!) but the type of cheating that causes longer lasting damage than a traditional affair.

We’re constantly connected to the world around us, we wake up and check our phones. Reply to emails and messages, look at the news, check LinkedIn for updates, distract ourselves with BuzzFeed lists and scroll through Facebook and Instagram.

All of this is usually done by the time you get to work in the morning.

You may message your partner ‘good morning beautiful, have a good day’ to remind them that you care and to show that you’re thinking about them.

It seems like the message should be enough to fill the void of no communication and you’ve shown that you’re thoughtful and they are your priority.

It’s not the case at all.

Dating and relationships these days are different from what they used to be. Communication is a key part of the relationship, it’s what makes you connect and grow closer but how much can you really connect if the majority of your communication is via messaging and social media updates?

It’s socially accepted that couples sit at dinner with their phones out, not really talking but assuming it’s fine because they’re their together.

What’s worse than that being acceptable?

That the world around us accepts that we’re being cheated on every day.

I’m sure when you think of cheating you think of illicit affairs, sexual encounters but the concept of cheating isn’t just about sex. The dictionary definition of cheating is ‘something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud.’ When you think about it, the concept of cheating is much broader.

Every day you’re being cheated on in your relationship with your partner. Where’s the face to face communication? The time for the two of you without distraction? It raises the question, why are we okay with this? Cheating each other out of real intimacy is far more damaging than you may realize.

Put down your phone, laptop and tablet and go see them. Hug them and tell them that they’re wonderful. Spend real time with them just being together, chatting without distraction. It may sound old-fashioned, but it’ll make the world of difference. You’ll appreciate each other so much more, which can only lead to positivity.