The pain of betrayal is all too familiar for many. The devastation of learning that a spouse has been unfaithful is something that can take a long time to recover from. For some, the betrayal is so great that the marriage may never recover. If you suspect that your spouse may be cheating on you, it is important to be aware of the signs. If your spouse is displaying any of the following behaviors, it might be a sign that they are cheating on you:
1. Change in Communication
Communication is key for any relationship to thrive. Therefore, a sudden change in your spouse’s communication may indicate that something has changed in your relationship too. If your spouse is normally very communicative and attentive but suddenly starts to avoid you and is less interested in talking to you, it could be a sign of infidelity. If they no longer talk to you about how their day was or tell you that they love you, there may be an issue. If you feel like there has been a change in communication with your spouse, you should talk to them about your concerns.
2. Dishonesty
Honesty is essential in a healthy relationship. Therefore, if your spouse is suddenly being dishonest or evasive about their whereabouts or who they are with, it could be a sign of cheating. Other examples of dishonesty that could indicate cheating, or relationship issues, include your spouse lying about financial issues, or hiding assets from you. If you suspect your spouse is cheating, you should talk to them about your concerns.
3. Changes in Purchasing Behaviors or Unexplainable Expenses
If you notice abnormal cash withdrawals or suspicious purchases by your partner from your joint accounts, it can signify infidelity. Additionally, if your spouse suddenly starts spending a lot of money on new clothes or jewelry, this could be a sign that they are trying to impress someone else. If you notice any changes in your spouse’s behavior or expenses, you should ask them about it directly.
4. Sudden Appearance Changes
Changes in appearance can also be an indication of infidelity. For instance, if your spouse suddenly becomes focused on losing weight or makes a complete change in their style, it could be a way of attracting someone else’s attention or making themselves feel more desirable. If your spouse has started to talk about getting plastic surgery, this could be a sign that they are not happy with their appearance and are looking for ways to change it. Your spouse may be interested in impressing someone other than you. Of course, they could just be having a renewed interest in taking care of themselves. Talk to your spouse about what is happening when you notice such changes.
5. Hobbies Away from Home
Certainly, caring for oneself and devoting oneself to new passions and hobbies can be positive. However, coupled with other suspicious behaviors, it may be a warning sign in a relationship. Therefore, if your spouse is spending more time away from home, it may be time to have a conversation about their new activities. They may be meeting someone new or spending more time with someone they are already seeing.
6. Radical Change in Sex Life
Sex is a connective act for a healthy relationship. A change in sex life is often one of the first signs that something is wrong in a relationship. It could manifest itself in several ways, such as becoming much more sexual or less sexual than usual. They may also start to experiment with new sexual activities that they were previously uninterested in. If you notice any of these changes, it is important to talk to your partner. Certainly, if you acquire a sexually transmitted disease, it is a red flag for a cheating spouse.
7. Abnormal Amount of Phone Usage and Changing Passwords
Even though technology enables numerous ways for people to have affairs, it requires time to do so. Therefore, finding time to cheat can be tricky. Consequently, you may notice that your spouse spends more time on their phone than usual. Additionally, changing their password without informing you or hiding their phone texts or taking calls in another room, maybe call for concern.
8. Becoming Unreliable
There are many ways in which unreliability can manifest in your relationship. One way is when your spouse is consistently late or forgets to show up for plans. Another way is when your spouse starts canceling plans, which may leave you feeling unimportant and devalued. Additionally, unreliability can manifest as a failure to keep promises or follow through on commitments. All these signs of unreliability can signal infidelity in your relationship, especially if they are new patterns. If your spouse becomes increasingly unreliable, it is important to talk to them about it and see if anything is going on that they are not telling you.
9. Change in Working Hours
An individual’s working hours can say a lot about their lifestyle and commitments. If there is a sudden change in the working hours of your spouse, not driven by their employer, it could indicate infidelity or financial concerns. A change in working hours usually means a change in lifestyle and commitments, which impacts relationships. If your partner does not have a legitimate reason for staying longer in the office than usual, it should call for discussion.
10. Projecting
While it may sound wild, another sign that your spouse is feeling guilty about something and trying to deflect the blame onto you is accusing you of infidelity. If they suddenly start accusing you of things you know you did not do, it could be a sign that they are trying to create discord between the two of you. Your spouse may try to hide their infidelity by always flipping conversations. That way, they are trying to look like they highly value fidelity and would never cheat.
There may be many explanations as to why your partner has changed their behavior, it does not necessarily mean that they are cheating on you. But, your own feelings of insecurity, coupled with the changed behavior is not something that should be ignored. Talk to your spouse. Seek out marriage counseling. You may also want to meet with a divorce attorney to find out what your rights are, in the event that you find yourself contemplating divorce.
A qualified and experienced divorce attorney can be your biggest ally in navigating the divorce process successfully.
