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Cheating

9 Things That Hurt More Than Cheating

Abigail Renee Abigail Renee | September 22, 2023 | 3 min read

Is cheating always a bad thing? Not necessarily. Cheating becomes wrong when it causes harm to someone else. If you’re thinking about ending a relationship that’s not making you happy, there are better ways to do it than cheating. Here are nine things that can hurt even more than cheating to avoid making that mistake again.

1. Lying to your partner 

Telling lies to your partner can hurt just as much as cheating. When you lie, you break the trust between you two. It’s like trying to build an unsafe house on sinking sand. Lies can stack up and make it really tough to fix the trust.

2. Withholding attention

Not paying attention can hurt a lot. Picture feeling like no one sees you, even from the person you love. They don’t listen, and they’re not around when you need them. It’s like a plant without water, slowly wilting away. When faced with signs of insincere love behavior, it can feel even more isolating. You start to question whether the affection was ever real or if it was simply a façade. The longing for genuine connection becomes overwhelming, leaving you yearning for something more meaningful.

3. Acting condescending towards each other

Talking down to someone can really hurt. It’s like a never-ending poke that makes you feel bad about yourself. Partners should help each other feel good, not make each other feel bad. Being nice and treating each other well is like the strong base of a loving relationship.

4. Only focusing on physical intimacy

Focusing too much on physical closeness can be painful. Love goes beyond just our bodies; it’s also about our feelings and thoughts. Ignoring the emotional bond can make the relationship seem empty, like a pretty shell with nothing in it.

5. Ignoring emotional needs

Ignoring emotional needs can be painful too. When partners don’t support each other emotionally, it’s like sailing in a boat with holes. The love leaks away, leaving you adrift. Remember, emotional bonds are as vital as physical ones.

6. Disregarding boundaries and privacy

Not respecting your partner’s limits and personal space can harm the trust between you two. It’s like going through someone’s private diary without asking. To have a strong and trusting relationship, it’s important to honor their boundaries and make sure everything is agreed upon.

7. Manipulation 

A relationship isn’t like a game where you have to trick your partner to make it work. It’s about treating each other with fairness. This fairness forms the basis of a strong and loving relationship. Any kind of trickery or manipulation can really hurt someone, make them lose confidence, and cause a lot of damage that you might not realize.

8. Spending time with other people

If you don’t want to be with someone, it’s better to break up sooner rather than later. If you’re not happy, waiting will just make things worse. Your partner might already sense something’s wrong and hope it gets better, but it’s best to be honest and not give false hope.

9. Refusing to compromise 

Compromise doesn’t mean you have to forget who you are. It’s about being willing to make some changes in your life to make the relationship better. When you really care about someone, you’re usually okay with making these changes. But if you can’t do that, consider ending the relationship before it gets even harder.

Share Your Thoughts:

What are some experiences that can be even more painful than infidelity in a relationship? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.


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Chrissie · March 12, 2025

always on cellphone destroys everything

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Abigail Renee
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Abigail Renee

Abigail Renee is a writer based in New York with a background in psychology and over five years of experience covering relationships, love, and personal growth. She is known for her candid, thoughtful perspective on the complexities of modern relationships, and believes that honest conversation is the foundation of any meaningful connection. When she is not writing, she is exploring new restaurants, listening to Coldplay, or rewatching her favourite sitcoms from the 2000s.