BAECORNER

It’s an unfortunate reality that many men cheat on their partners. While cheating is never excusable, there are often signs and patterns of behavior that emerge beforehand which can signal that a man is headed down that road. Being aware of these potential red flags can help you identify if your partner may be considering straying before it happens.

Of course, not all men who exhibit some of these behaviors will definitively cheat. But taken together, the more of these signs that are present, the higher the likelihood that cheating could be on the horizon. Let’s dive into some of the most common things men do in the lead-up to infidelity.

1. He Starts Picking More Fights and Arguments

One of the first things you may notice is that your partner seems moodier and is instigating more conflicts and disagreements than usual. He may nitpick at things you say or do, try to start fights over tiny issues, or just seem более confrontational in general.

This desire to create conflict and tension in the relationship often stems from the man’s attempts to justify his interests in someone else in his mind. By making you the “bad guy” through arguing and fighting, he can make himself feel less guilty about his desire to stray.

2. He Becomes Increasingly Critical and Negative

Along the same lines as picking more fights, you may also notice a man becoming overly negative and critical towards you before cheating. He’ll insult your appearance, personality quirks, skills, or abilities to lower your self-esteem and make you feel inadequate.

A man trying to cheat often does this because he wants to convince himself that you aren’t good enough, therefore making it easier for him to pursue someone else. He also may hope that his negativity makes you pull away first, allowing him to play the victim.

3. He Pulls Away Emotionally and Physically

Emotional and physical disconnection are major indicators that a partner is checking out of the relationship. He may lose interest in sex, affection, and quality time together. He’ll spend more time away from home, make excuses to avoid physical intimacy, and his attention seems to constantly be elsewhere.

Of course, there can be other reasons for this like stress or depression. But combined with other signs of potential cheating, emotional and physical distancing from you could signal he’s already gotten interested in someone else.

4. He Pays More Attention to His Appearance

Have you noticed your partner has started putting more effort into his grooming, exercise routine, new clothes, or other aspects of his appearance? While it’s great to take pride in your looks, a sudden and marked increase in focus on appearances can indicate he’s trying to look more attractive for someone other than you.

Before cheating, many men will try boosting their self-confidence and attractiveness through improved grooming and fitness efforts. He wants to look and feel his best before pursuing that new relationship or fling he desires.

5. He Gets Suspicious About Your Actions

In a classic case of projecting, men who are considering cheating themselves often become suspicious that you may be cheating as well. He may start questioning where you’ve been, and who you’re talking to, and accuse you of infidelity despite the lack of any evidence or reason for mistrust.

This projection of his guilt and insecurities surrounding cheating on you is another common pattern. If he’s losing interest and feeling tempted to be unfaithful, his betrayal worries may cause him to lash out at you with baseless suspicion and accusations.

6. He Seeks More Time Away From You

Another red flag is if your partner starts making more excuses to spend time away from home and from you. He may pick up a new solo hobby, hang out with friends more often without you, work long hours at the office unnecessarily, or any other reasons to decrease his time with you.

This distancing behavior allows him to create more independence and separation between you two, as he prepares himself mentally to leave the relationship or cheat. The less quality time he spends with you, the easier it becomes to forge a bond with someone new.

7. He Shows Less Respect and Empathy 

When a man is putting himself in a position to betray his partner’s trust through cheating, one of the first things to go is his respect and empathy for that partner. You may notice a lack of consideration for your thoughts, feelings, or needs. Your opinions and perspectives get dismissed more frequently. He’s less willing to compromise or see things from your point of view.

This loss of care and compassion happens because he’s in the process of dehumanizing you in his mind. By diminishing his empathy towards you, he can more easily justify straying and betraying you down the line. The lack of respect indicates his lack of concern about how his actions could impact you.

Of course, seeing any one of these behaviors alone doesn’t automatically mean a man will cheat. There could be other reasons like stress, depression, or general relationship dissatisfaction causing some of this conduct.

However, if you notice several of these patterns emerging, it’s wise to have an open and honest discussion with your partner about what’s going on. Unresolved issues could push him in the direction of unfaithful actions. Make the effort to understand his thoughts, feelings, and grievances so you can work through problems in the relationship together instead of him seeking out affairs as an escape.

While there’s no way to guarantee he won’t cheat, recognizing the warning signs and addressing problems head-on is your best bet at stopping a wayward partner before betrayal happens. Stay alert, communicate, and value your self-worth enough to walk away if he instead chooses the path of deceit and infidelity.