I’m gonna break some hearts here, but I am a happily married woman. As such I have certain expectations placed upon my fidelity to this person. I’m expected to derive all of my emotional, mental, and physical intimacy from my husband. So I’m gonna break down what each of these is and why getting intimate with people outside my marriage isn’t cheating and why I encourage my hubby to do the same.
Emotional intimacy can also be known as friendship. Friends should be of all genders, age, marital and family status, and races. Friends should be there to commiserate when sad experiences happen (first death of the final season of GoT anyone?). Friends should be there to allow for a way to share positive emotional experiences (new baby, new job, celebrating the death of a villain in the final gOT season?). Relying on a single person for all of your emotional intimacy is stifling and an overall BAD idea.
Mental intimacy doesn’t have as convenient of a label as emotional intimacy but suffices to say that the people that you discuss the big things in life with. People you have good-hearted political debates with.
Acquaintances who share a fandom and want to kick around more theories. Conversations about the nature of God, the universe and so on no matter how deep are NOT cheating.
Physical intimacy isn’t limited to sex acts. Physical intimacy comprises a whole spectrum of touch. Snuggling on a couch watching TV with a friend is NOT cheating. Humans are social creatures and even basic things like a long hug are NOT cheating.
Easy rule of thumb is if you wouldn’t tell your partner about it it’s probably cheating
