6 Key Signs of a Healthy Dating Relationship for Strong Emotional Bonds
Dating is a crucial phase in any romantic relationship, where individuals get to know each…
Is She Cheating Or Am I Just Anxious? 10 Signs To Tell Your Girlfriend Is Cheating?
Suspecting infidelity in your relationship can be frustrating. But how do you know if it’s your anxiety playing tricks on you or if there’s something more? Here are 10 signs to tell your girlfriend is cheating.
Short on Time? (Summary)
What is considered cheating can be subjective sometimes. However, there are some behaviors such as rekindling with an ex or flirting, that are considered cheating.
Suspecting that your girlfriend is cheating can be nerve-wracking. If you continually worry, “Is she cheating or am I just paranoid?” you should look out for certain behaviors to confirm or clear your suspicions. Some of these behaviors are being secretive, avoiding intimacy, and always picking a fight with you.
We’ll take a closer look at these behaviors below. However, keep in mind that your girlfriend may show signs of cheating but isn’t cheating. It’s important to talk with your girlfriend to express your worries.
HIGHLIGHTS
- If she’s being secretive about her whereabouts or phone, it could indicate that she’s cheating.
- Sudden busy schedules or changes in physical appearance can sometimes signal cheating.
- Talk with your girlfriend to calmly express your worries and determine what’s best for the relationship.
- Seek therapy and support from loved ones after leaving the relationship.
Signs She’s Cheating
1. She Becomes Secretive
Being secretive is a huge red flag and could signal cheating. It may also mean she’s hiding something important. Noticeable changes often include:
- Guarding her phone
- Answering calls away from you
- Being vague about her whereabouts
- Avoiding conversations about her day
Being secretive can indicate that she’s removing herself emotionally or physically from the relationship.
Pro Tip: Avoid going through her phone just to find answers. At the end of the day, she still needs her privacy.
2. She Complains About You or the Relationship
If she complains more frequently and less constructively, it might be a sign that she’s mentally or emotionally checked out. She’s signaling dissatisfaction, and could also be a projection of her guilt or frustration.
3. She Has Little Time for You
If you notice a sudden change in her social life, like she spends more time with friends than she does with you, it could be a sign that she might be cheating.
Pro Tip: A sudden busy schedule doesn’t always mean she’s cheating. She might be working more hours because she wants a promotion. Consider having a conversation with her about this topic.
4. She Avoids Intimacy
Some women connect more to their partners by being intimate whether it’s emotionally, physically, or sexually. If she barely shows any interest in that department, it might be because she’s receiving it somewhere else.
5. She Barely Says “I Love You”
If she barely says “I love you” in calls or texts, it might be a sign she’s not into the relationship anymore or she just has someone else. She could still say “I love you” while cheating to maintain normalcy, but it doesn’t feel the same to you. These should be signs to look out for.
6. She Doesn’t Want PDA Anymore
More times than often, when a girl is cheating, she has fallen out of love with her boyfriend. If you try pulling her into a hug or holding her hands, she would pull away to avoid suggesting that you two are a couple.
7. She Doesn’t Make Eye Contact Anymore
This is excusable if she has always been like that from the start. But if she has always been comfortable with eye contact and now she can’t seem to look you in the eyes anymore, it screams guilt. It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. People can lie with their words, but most times, not with their eyes.
8. She’s Always Making Excuses
A sign of infidelity could also be her making constant excuses to avoid spending time together. Whether it’s canceling plans last minute or frequently being too busy. Constant excuses often serve as proof of her divided attention, and her behavior indicates a lack of commitment. It may suggest that her priorities have shifted elsewhere.
9. She Changes Her Physical Appearance
Most times, women would mention their wardrobe or fitness changes to their partners.
Sudden and unexplained changes in her physical appearance, such as a new hairstyle, wardrobe, or fitness routine, can be signs of cheating. Most times these changes are made to impress someone new or to boost her confidence for someone outside the relationship.
10. You Don’t Believe Anything She Says Anymore
When you begin to doubt everything she says, it’s mostly because her behavior has given you reasons to be suspicious. The loss of trust may stem from her actions not aligning with her words.
What to Do If You Suspect She’s Cheating
Now that you’re aware of cheating behaviors, the next thing is to figure out what to do. We have highlighted the steps to follow to address your suspicions.
- Express Your Worries: Bring up the conversation when you’re calm and ensure you express your concerns in a non-accusatory tone. Try as much as possible to use “I” instead of “You”.
- Listen to Her Side of the Story: Give her a chance to express herself without interrupting her. Sometimes, her behaviors may point towards cheating and turn out differently.
- Observe Her Body Language: You’re most likely to tell if she’s telling the truth or lying by watching her body language. If she breaks eye contact, changes her facial expression, fidgets, fidgets, it could signal that she’s lying. Differentiate how she would normally talk in a conversation to how she’s talking about the cheating topic.
- Decide If You Want to Work It Out: If she insists that she isn’t cheating and is also willing to prove her innocence and work on the relationship, you should give it a chance. However, if you can’t seem to trust her no matter what she says, you might want to consider ending the relationship.
How to Tell the Difference: Signs of Cheating vs. Signs of Anxiety
| Signs of Cheating | Signs of Anxiety |
|---|---|
| Increased Secrecy: Hiding phone, vague about whereabouts | Overthinking: Constantly questioning innocent actions |
| Avoidance of Intimacy: Physical and emotional distance | Insecurity: Feeling undesired without a clear reason |
| Frequent Excuses: Often busy or canceling plans last minute | Overanalyzing: Reading too much into schedule changes |
| Changes in Appearance: New wardrobe, fitness routine | Self-Doubt: Assuming changes are to impress someone else |
| Unexplained Guilt: Appears uncomfortable or guilty around you | Paranoia: Feeling guilty for being suspicious without evidence |
| Defensiveness: Overly defensive when questioned about activities | Self-Blame: Assuming any issues in the relationship are your fault |
| Less Communication: Becoming distant, less frequent conversations | Need for Reassurance: Constantly needing affirmation of love and commitment |
| New Social Circles: Spending more time with new friends without explanation | Fear of Loss: Worrying excessively about the relationship ending |
| Avoidance of PDA: Reluctant to show affection in public | Hypervigilance: Overly focused on minor details of behavior |
| Lack of Eye Contact: Avoids eye contact during serious discussions | Nervousness: Feeling anxious during routine interactions without clear cause |
How to Cope After Leaving the Relationship
Walking out of a relationship can cause so many strong emotions at once — sadness, heartbreak, regrets, grief, etc, especially when you thought she was the one.
Here’s how to cope after leaving the relationship.
- Take Time to Heal: The first step to healing is to validate your emotions. Also, don’t try to find someone else to get over your ex. Instead, focus on self-care and explore new hobbies, such as going to the gym, practicing yoga, or taking up painting.
- Seek Therapy: Consider going for therapy. A professional can walk you through your emotions and help you heal.
- Connect With Friends and Family: Spending time with your loved ones can also help you cope with heartbreak. Try to spend time with your trusted friends and family members who can offer support during this challenging time.
Conclusion
Suspecting cheating in your relationship signals there’s no longer trust in the relationship. If you notice these behaviors in your girlfriend, have a conversation to address the issue. You can either try to rebuild the trust or call it quits. Seek professional help and connect with loved ones to help you in your healing process.
