Think twice about cheating on your partner. People have many reasons for wanting to cheat: they may be angry at their partner, feel trapped in a relationship they weren’t ready for to begin with or which has grown dull and lifeless, or be taking out frustrations about something completely unrelated to the relationship.[1] However, there are numerous negative consequences associated with infidelity in a relationship.
- You may think that you can get away with it and not get caught; even if you do, studies show that cheating partners experience high levels of shame and guilt associated with their actions. [2]
- Although many couples are able to work through their issues when infidelity comes to light, many relationships dissolve from the lack of trust bred by your betrayal.[3]
- Most importantly, consider the suffering your partner will experience should your infidelity come to light. If you are not willing to accept your role in their pain, don’t go through with your plans.
- The repercussions of your breach of trust could follow your partner into their future relationships, negatively affecting their ability to find happiness even after they've left you behind.
- Should your actions come to light, you may very well lose the respect of your friends and family, and that can be a painful consequence to live with. Try to live up to your communities expectations of you.
- If you are truly unhappy in a relationship, you should have an honest conversation where you either make a plan with your partner to work together to improve it, or decide to end the relationship so you can move on with someone else.
- However, if you decide to move ahead with your plans, you should take the following into consideration.