It’s every woman’s worst nightmare within a partnership: your gut instinct being proven right. Whether it comes to you in a dream or you’re putting together small hints that build a big picture, it’s never easy to digest the possibility of being lied to, cheated on, or all of the above.

However, how do you confront someone for doing something you have no evidence to support? When a woman suspects infidelity with no tangible signs, she has to walk a tightrope. Speaking up prematurely could damage the relationship, but avoidance breeds anxiety. It can be scary, and that fear can even trick you into staying quiet. As challenging as it might seem, it is possible to navigate the situation while minimizing hurt on both sides. As recommended by therapists, here’s what you can do when you have a gut feeling he’s cheating with no proof, as well as, how to navigate the situation in the healthiest manner possible.

Listening to Your Intuition

For women, it’s not uncommon to be gaslit out of trusting your gut or listening to your intuition. You can be deemed as over-emotional, irrational, or even crazy. However, not everything in this life is tangible, and sometimes, there are big feelings in our bodies that can’t be explained through logic.

As sensitive creatures, our instincts often pick up subtle changes in behavior, and it’s crucial to address these feelings without jumping to conclusions. As licensed marriage and family therapist Sophie Cress shares, “Recognize the importance of your emotions. Intuition, or gut feelings, are a way for our brains to process subtle cues and patterns that may not be immediately clear. However, it’s important to be cautious and not take these feelings as proof of infidelity. Approach the situation with an open mind, being aware that personal insecurities and past traumas can sometimes cloud our intuition.”

In that same vein, you must decipher what’s paranoia and what’s your gut instinct. Are your sneaking suspicions stemming from an emotionally intelligent place, or are you projecting insecurities from past unhealed traumas? Are you feeling grounded and thinking clearly, or are you self-sabotaging out of panic? Having enough self-awareness to be discerning of your internal dialogue is crucial when navigating gut feelings.

Therapy can be a helpful tool when confronting the accuracy of your internal dialogue. Cress recommends seeking guidance through counseling and sharing, “In therapy, we often take a deeper dive into the underlying causes of our emotions and analyze any previous experiences that might be affecting our present suspicions. By comprehending the sources of our emotions, we can gain an understanding of our triggers and weaknesses.”

What To Do When You Have a Gut Feeling He’s Cheating With no Proof

If that gut feeling persists, it’s in everyone’s best interest that it be acknowledged lovingly and maturely. Seasoned relationship coach Chris Gillis offers a seven-step guide on how to navigate the discomfort of suspicion in a healthy way conducive to growth.

Deep Breathe and Self-Reflect

Before spinning out and taking any action, it’s crucial to engage in self-reflection to get a better understanding of the source of your suspicions. Are they rooted in tangible changes in your partner’s behavior, or are they influenced by personal insecurities or your past experiences with exes? This introspective process will lay the foundation for a more informed and constructive conversation.

Recognize Common Cheating Signs

While it’s important not to jump to conclusions based solely on perceived signs, recognizing/being aware of common indicators of infidelity can help inform your approach. These signs may include changes in communication patterns, emotional distance, secrecy regarding personal activities and their calls and texts, unexplained gifts and presents, sudden change in appearance and fitness, defensiveness when asked about simple questions, and decreases in intimacy levels.

Open Communication To Establish Trusting Dialogue

Communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship that requires a sense of mutual safety, i.e. your partner can’t have the perceived threat that you are going to judge them for being honest by flipping out and losing it on them. When suspicions arise, so do emotions and anger. Instead, approach the conversation calmly with openness and honesty. Active listening is key; allow your partner to share their side of the story and avoid interrupting. A trusting and non-confrontational conversation can reveal important insights. Use I statements to express your feelings and avoid accusatory language. For example, calmly saying, “I’ve noticed a change in our communication, and I am feeling uneasy. Can we talk about it?” This encourages your partner to share their perspective without feeling attacked.

Consider External Factors

Relationships exist within the context of all of our broader life circumstances. So consider external factors that may be influencing your partner’s behavior, such as work stress, financial struggles, family issues, or personal struggles. Sometimes, suspicions can be alleviated by understanding and addressing these external stressors.

Seek Professional Assistance

Relationship coaches or therapists can provide valuable insights and strategies for gaining clarity on suspicions of infidelity. Seeking the help of a professional to help you both demonstrates a commitment to the relationship and a willingness to work through challenges with the guidance of an experienced third party.

Re-Define Your Relationship Boundaries

Clearly define and communicate your boundaries within the relationship. Discuss expectations regarding privacy, communication, and fidelity. Establishing a shared understanding of these boundaries can help prevent misunderstandings and foster a sense of security within the relationship.

Rebuild Trust

If suspicions are dispelled, or if both partners commit to overcoming the challenges of cheating together, the focus should shift to rebuilding trust. Hunt Ethridge also says, “A relationship without trust is like a car without gas. You can stay in it all you want, but it won’t go anywhere.” Remember, this process involves time, open communication, transparency, and a shared commitment to nurturing the emotional connection.

It’s Not Easy

Having a gut feeling he’s cheating with no proof is very common, but many women have survived it. There’s no easy way to have that kind of conversation, but gaslighting one’s self out of voicing the truth isn’t an option, either. By following a step-by-step guide, leaning on loved ones, and enlisting the help of a professional, relationships can be saved— maybe with your partner, but most importantly, with yourself.