A forgotten phone lies on the table, the partner is out, and you are—just like so often lately—alone. What do you do? After years of adapting to the digital transformation of our world, breakups now happen online via WhatsApp, Instagram, or Snapchat. People maintain relationships exclusively online without ever having met in real life. And then... you discover cheating, infidelity, or even a secret online relationship. So what do you do with that phone lying there on the table?
I recommend that when the natural urge to check arises, the first step should be to turn inward: are the emotional parameters still intact? Is there still trust? Ending a relationship with the love of your life over a bit of online flirting could be a short-sighted decision. But if the relationship is struggling in every corner, then finding out your partner is cheating—or even just flirting—might not be the worst way to reach a decision. Let’s return to the phone lying so temptingly on the table: I wouldn’t recommend immediately giving in to the urge to check it, but in today’s world, it’s understandable to follow your doubts this way. If you trust, then leave the device alone. That allows you to maintain a soothing emotional balance. But if you’re already full of doubts… then it hardly matters what anyone says—you’ll likely take that step toward control anyway.
