As difficult as it might be to assimilate, a time may come in your life when your partner would want to start seeing other people.
That does not mean they have given up on your relationship entirely but they may want to test the waters to see what else the world could offer them. It can be painful but it can happen, and when it does, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs.
Here are five signs that your partner wants to date other people.
Remember, if that’s the situation, you are in no way obligated to continue this relationship while they try to “find themselves”.
1. You catch them looking at other people more and more often
Dating expert Demetrius Figueroa explains: “I think the earliest and most obvious sign that your partner has wandering eyes is when you catch them checking other people out,” Figueroa says. “The reality is that even the most faithful person in the world will notice when an attractive person enters their line of sight. It doesn’t make them more likely to cheat.”
However, if they’re constantly staring at others in your presence and it makes you feel uneasy, there’s nothing wrong with talking about it. Although it may be awkward, you shouldn’t have to make peace with something that bothers you. While it’s unrealistic to expect your partner to never check out a hot stranger in your entire relationship, asking them not to do it while you’re together should a fair request to make.
2. They start asking questions about possible crushes you might have
If your partner develops an interest in dating other people, they might start asking you about who you find attractive, as if trying to talk about a random topic and see where your mind might be on the subject.
Dating Coach Pella Weisman says: “Your partner seems to be testing the waters by asking you about crushes, fantasies, which movie stars you think are cute, or your romantic interest in other people,” She adds: “Your partner may want to see if YOU are interested in dating other people because that would make it easier for them to bring up the topic.”
3. They regularly attend events where there will be singles without you
“You might find that your partner is starting to plan more and more events where they can interact with attractive single people when you’re not there,” says Demetrius Figueroa.
Anyone would be upset if their significant other was going to places with the intent to ogle other attractive people instead of ogling them. Figueroa stresses that “obvious ogling” is much more of a red zone than “fleeting glances”. But since there’s no way to be certain whether they’re attending events simply to check out other people, giving them a hard time for going to places on their own because there “might be hotties there” is not the best solution for your concerns. A better option might be to have a casual conversation about it.
“In the end, a wandering eye, whether it’s online or offline, is harmless on its own,” adds Figueroa. “A wandering eye isn’t a judgment of your attractiveness or a sign that your partner wants to cheat. It’s just an acknowledgment that other people are also attractive, as long as your partner isn’t acting on it.”
Your feelings on this issue are absolutely justified, whatever they may be, so if your partner’s wandering eye makes you feel uncomfortable, you should talk to them about it, and you should not have to be worried about them responding negatively. A loving partner should be approachable for anything you have on your mind. The bottom line is that talking about your feelings and concerns openly to your partner is always the best route to go.
4. They start flirting a lot
There’s a lot of debate on whether flirting is actually cheating. While some people say it is, others say it’s not and is just harmless interaction. Many think that if there’s no physical contact it’s not actually cheating.
Here are Relationship Expert April Masini’s thoughts on the issue: “Your partner starts flirting more often and for longer periods of time,” says Masini. “He or she may look forward to seeing someone who is attractive, and with whom they flirt. When you see that excitement in your partner, because he or she can’t wait to visit with a flirty friend, it’s because they want more than just flirtation. They want out of the relationship they have with you.”
5. All of a sudden they become hotter…
“A sudden change in appearance in your partner is a sign that he or she is looking beyond the relationship,” says Masini. “When your partner is thinking of dating other people, he or she is going to start priming him or herself to do so — and that usually starts with makeover elements.”
“If they now take more showers and have taken to wearing a new scent, you might have an issue. “Typically, you’ll see a partner who’s cheating adopt a more rigorous grooming routine, a more vigorous workout, and even a different cologne … They’ll have a little spring in their step that is hard to understand, and they’ll just start looking and smelling better than they have been,” she adds.
Can you think of any more signs of a partner who is looking into dating other people?
Let us know about them in the comment section below.
