Oftentimes when we think about an affair, we automatically think it has to be physical. But this is not always the case. Your partner could be having an emotional affair with someone else. If you feel like your partner has increased their alone time or you don’t feel wanted, an emotional affair could be the culprit. You need to know about the 4 ways to stop an emotional affair to protect yourself.
Talk to Your Partner
The first way to stop an emotional affair is to talk to your partner. Have you noticed that they are distant? Does your partner communicate less with you? Are they always alone and hide their gadgets from you? These are all signs that an emotional affair could be taking place right under your nose. But always talk to your partner about what’s going on instead of making assumptions. Ask them how they are feeling about the relationship and divulge how you are feeling as well. Discuss anything that may be lacking, like love, admiration and attention. Then, try to come up with a solution so as to not make each other feel these negative emotions. If the behavior continues after these conversations, then you know what you have to do.
Determine What Friendship Means
The second way to stop an emotional affair is to determine what “friendship” really means in your relationship. Everyone has a different idea about what this looks like. As long as you and your partner are on the same page, that’s all that matters. Come together and discuss the cut-off time for them to talk to friends of the opposite sex. Talking after 10pm is a sign of disrespect and disregard for your partner.
Figure out if your partner should remain friends with some of their connections, given a long and complicated history. Complex relationships that “ended” yet still continue on with friendship sometimes mean the door is just not completely closed. They could, if they wanted to, pick up where they left off. And where would that leave you? If you need to ask your partner to close those doors once and for all, don’t be afraid to do so.
Understand the Reasons
Unfortunately, emotional affairs happen simply because one or both parties just aren’t getting what they need anymore. That could mean sex, support or even excitement in the relationship. Something as simple as making your partner feel special could have made the difference. While understanding the reasons doesn’t negate the hurt caused, it does allow you to see where things went wrong. If you can understand that your partner hasn’t felt supported for a while, then you can make sense of their behavior. You also need to understand your own contributions to the status of your relationship. Each relationship involves at least two people (hopefully no more than that) and each person promotes or takes from the flourishment.
Ask for Help
Lastly, you can stop an emotional affair by seeking help from trusted external sources. Counseling is a great way to get to the bottom of your problems in a supportive environment. There is still a stigma that says if you ask for help, you are weak. That is just not the case. A person who embodies courage and lets go of their ego knows that asking for help can be a sign of strength. When you have done everything you can do in your love race, reaching out could help you cross the finish line. If you consider your relationship important enough to work through, seek a counselor.
To conclude, adding 4 ways to stop an emotional affair to your love toolbox can help you in the future. Remember, you are not alone in these feelings. We have all been there at some point or another. You are valuable and you don’t have to tolerate emotional dishonesty. Know your strength!
