Have you ever considered the difference between an emotional affair vs friendship? Have you ever wondered if your friendship with someone of the opposite sex is crossing the line? Do you feel guilty or confused about your feelings for them? Do you hide your interactions with them from your partner?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be having an emotional affair, and in the right place to understand the concept of emotional affair vs friendship.
In this article, we will explain what an emotional affair is, how it differs from a friendship, how it affects your relationship, and how to stop it. By the end of this article, you will be able to recognize the signs of an emotional affair and take steps to prevent or end it.
Emotional Affair VS Friendship
In a relationship, what are the limits for friendship with a member of the opposite sex? Who sets these limits? What is the difference between a friendship and an emotional affair?
Is an emotional affair wrong? Does an emotional affair help the relationship by letting a partner vent out all emotional frustration, which otherwise he/she would not have done with his/her partner? Or does it kill the relationship?
What is an emotional affair?
Most of us have friendships. Many of us are very close in some friendships. We share quite a lot in such friendships. But when one develops such a close friendship with someone from the opposite sex, it can be termed an emotional affair.
Sharing intimate emotional details with someone of the opposite sex is called an emotional affair. This is the common definition. It also includes the clause that you are keeping your partner unaware of the emotional bond you share with someone else.
An emotional affair is a type of infidelity that involves forming a close and intimate bond with someone outside of your relationship, usually without your partner’s knowledge or consent. It may not involve any physical contact, but it can still hurt your partner and your relationship.
Does it hurt the relationship?
It hurts the relationship if after knowing about the details shared, the partner feels that mutual trust was violated. If the emotional affair becomes strong, it may so happen that one may begin sharing more emotional details with one’s friend than with one’s partner. That hurts the partner and may also lead to a breakup.
Why do people have emotional affairs?
It is being debated whether an emotional affair is purely emotional or it is begun because of physical attraction. Does one need a friend of the opposite sex to share emotional details?
Why not one of your own sex? And why does one feel uncomfortable with one’s partner about this bond? All pointers go in one direction – an emotional affair may be the way one wants to begin a physical relationship with another outside relationship.
Otherwise if one wants to have emotional sharing, or vent feelings, one can easily consult a psychiatrist and tell all to feel relieved and get advice. Or one can choose a friend of the same sex.
How to avoid an emotional affair?
One who is involved in an emotional affair needs to ask himself- is this only emotional? Why do I need this person to talk about everything? One must reflect. Talk it out with one’s partner.
Let your head control your heart for a moment and think about the relationship and the bond. This may help in better understanding the emotional affair and coming out of it.
How to overcome an emotional affair as a victim
When you discover the affair, the initial couple of hrs., days, and weeks can be psychologically wrenching, to say the least. Or, if someone you deeply care about starts “pulling away” you might experience intense negative sensations.
Go through this list and also pick out a couple of things you can do to aid on your own throughout these times.
1. Stroll. Run, if you are healthy enough to run or exercise. Exercise drains off the adrenaline and also physically you really feel better. Because you are caring for yourself, you likewise think much better of yourself on your own.
2. Talk. If you usually deal with troubles by talking them out, find someone that will listen as you pour out your heart. Provide explicit directions: “I require to chat, air vent, sob, craze, as well as question. Simply look me in the eye, nod your head, and also listen.”
3. Obtain a kitchen timer. Spend that time creating … anything, every little thing that comes to your mind. This will help take your mind off the issue. Most times I spend time just reading my favorite Novels.“`
4. Locate a refuge and also spend time there. Do you have a preferred lake, wooded location, park, chair, or area where you feel secure and also can “flee” Deliberately invest a long time there.
5. Hope. Meditate. Utilize your spiritual sources, if you have them. If you do not have them, it can be a great time to establish them. Spirituality typically attests to your worth and allows you to see the larger image.
6. Realize. Notice what you are assuming, how you are feeling, and also what you are doing. Pay attention to this aspect of your life. Simply seeing usually creates a range of emotional pain.
7. Encourage the rhythm of your feelings. Your feelings will go and come, often in waves. Remember they are not permanent and should not define you, do not forget it will come to pass, so do not do anything stupid.
8. Get expert assistance. Encouraging treatment could be useful. Personal and specialist coaching, typically by means of telephone, is a handy sensation that is significantly prominent as a way to locate the assistance and also instructions for particular problems.
9. Beginning analysis, checking out the net, and talking to people about your circumstance. Many individuals have actually strolled your path (well, not exactly your course, however close) and also are there to provide their understanding as well as point out the bends as well as turns of your roadway.
Conclusion:
Emotional affair vs friendship: how can you tell the difference?
A friendship is a healthy and supportive relationship that respects the boundaries of your romantic relationship. An emotional affair is a secretive and inappropriate relationship that violates the trust and intimacy of your romantic relationship.
Emotional affairs can cause a lot of damage to your relationship and your partner’s feelings. They can create distance, break trust, and cause resentment. They can also lead to physical affairs if you are not careful.
The best way to avoid emotional affairs is, to be honest with yourself and with your partner. If you feel that you are getting too close to someone else, cut off contact with them and focus on your partner. If you suspect that your partner is having an emotional affair, talk to them calmly and respectfully. Seek professional help if needed.
Emotional affairs are not something that should be taken lightly. They can ruin your relationship and hurt your partner’s feelings. However, they are not something that cannot be overcome either.
With honesty, communication, respect, and love, you can stop emotional affairs and keep your relationship strong.
In order not to fall victim of relationship failure, it is very important to be armed with the knowledge of what to do and what not to do. Check out this post for very important tips.
FAQ:
Q: What is an emotional affair?
A: An emotional affair is a form of infidelity that involves forming a close and intimate bond with someone outside of your relationship, usually in secret.
Q: How is an emotional affair different from a friendship?
A: A friendship is a healthy and supportive relationship that respects the boundaries of your romantic relationship. An emotional affair is a secretive and inappropriate relationship that violates the trust and intimacy of your romantic relationship.
Q: What are some signs of an emotional affair?
A: Some signs of an emotional affair are:
Lying by omission: You keep something from your partner that you know they would want to know.
The roaming eye: You stare at other people in a disrespectful or lustful way.
Physical contact: You touch another person in a way that crosses the line of friendship.
Emotional distance: You become less available and interested in your partner.
Guilt or confusion: You feel guilty or confused about your feelings for the other person.
Comparison or criticism: You compare your partner to the other person or find faults in them.
Q: How can I stop an emotional affair?
A: To stop an emotional affair, you need to:
Be honest: Admit that you have a problem and that you want to fix it. Don’t deny or justify your actions.
Cut off contact: Cut off all contact with the other person. Delete their number, block them on social media, and avoid places where they might be.
Rebuild trust: Be transparent and open with your partner. Share your feelings and thoughts with them. Show them that you care and that you are committed to them.
Seek help: Seek professional help if needed. Sometimes emotional affairs can be a symptom of deeper issues in yourself or in your relationship.
