Freeform

It's basically when you crave an unhealthy amount of validation and attention from someone outside of your relationship. Maybe it's physical, but just as often it's not.

And, as Schilling notes, micro-cheating can create a negative and unsustainable relationship pattern. If you allow it to happen, you're saying "It's OK to flirt with him/her, I'm happy to take second place and I don't really matter," she said. "Over time, this can erode your self-esteem and set you up to be the 'victim' in your relationship."