17 Men Who ‘Never Thought They’d Cheat’ On Why They Cheated

When it comes to relationships, the word cheating brings with it a whirlwind of emotions—betrayal, confusion, heartbreak. And let’s be honest: in a world that celebrates loyalty, trust, and happily-ever-afters, nobody plans to cheat. But for some men, it happens. What drives someone who never thought they’d cheat to cross that line?

We asked 17 men who once believed they’d never stray from their partners to share the raw, unfiltered reasons behind their infidelity. Their answers might surprise you.

1. “I Felt Unappreciated At Home.” — Brian, 31

“I love my girlfriend, but I was feeling completely taken for granted. I felt invisible in my own relationship, and when someone else came along who gave me attention, it felt refreshing. It wasn’t about the sex—it was about feeling seen.”

2. “It Was An Ego Boost.” — Derek, 29

“I honestly never thought I’d be that guy, but when someone showed interest in me outside of my relationship, it gave me a rush. I felt like I still ‘had it.’ I didn’t cheat because I was unhappy—I cheated because it stroked my ego.”

3. “I Was Drunk And Stupid.” — Marcus, 24

“I know it sounds cliché, but alcohol definitely clouded my judgment. I was at a party, drunk, and things escalated with a girl who wasn’t my girlfriend. I regret it deeply, but at that moment, I wasn’t thinking straight.”

4. “I Was Looking For An Escape.” — Chris, 35

“My relationship had become emotionally draining, but I didn’t have the guts to break up. Cheating felt like a temporary escape from the reality I didn’t want to face. I regret it because I should’ve just ended things instead of hurting her even more.”

5. “We Were In A Rough Patch.” — Jaden, 26

“I love my girlfriend, but we were going through a really rough patch. We weren’t communicating, weren’t being intimate, and I was frustrated. I didn’t cheat because I didn’t love her—I cheated because I was feeling disconnected and didn’t know how to fix it.”

6. “The Opportunity Was Just… There.” — Luke, 28

“I never thought I’d be a cheater, but sometimes, it just happens. I wasn’t even looking for it. But when the opportunity presented itself, I acted on impulse. I regret it, but at the time, I wasn’t thinking about the consequences.”

7. “She Was Emotionally Unavailable.” — Sam, 33

“I felt emotionally starved in my relationship. My girlfriend was going through a lot and became distant. I turned to someone else because I craved that emotional connection. I didn’t plan to cheat—it just happened in a moment of vulnerability.”

8. “I Was Scared Of Commitment.” — Andrew, 30

“I’d been with my girlfriend for four years, and I knew she was the one. But that freaked me out. I started feeling trapped, like I was losing my freedom, and cheating was my stupid way of rebelling. I regret it deeply, but at the time, I was just scared.”

9. “She Cheated First.” — Matt, 27

“When I found out my girlfriend cheated on me, I was devastated. Instead of breaking up, I stayed and cheated on her in return. It wasn’t about wanting someone else—it was about revenge. I regret it now, but in that moment, it felt justified.”

10. “I Didn’t Think She’d Find Out.” — Logan, 32

“It sounds awful, but part of the reason I cheated was because I didn’t think she’d ever find out. I was wrong. When she did, it shattered everything. I hurt someone I love, all because I was selfish and thought I could get away with it.”

11. “I Was Feeling Insecure.” — Jason, 25

“I was going through a tough time personally, feeling insecure about myself, and cheating gave me a sense of validation. Someone else wanted me, and that made me feel better about myself. It was selfish, and I hate that I let my insecurities drive me to hurt my girlfriend.”

12. “I Was Bored.” — Ethan, 28

“This sounds terrible, but I was bored. My relationship had become monotonous, and cheating added excitement. I didn’t think about the consequences—I just wanted something to shake up my life. It was a mistake.”

13. “The Distance Got To Me.” — Noah, 27

“We were in a long-distance relationship, and while I loved her, the physical separation was really hard. I missed the closeness and ended up cheating with someone nearby. It wasn’t about love—it was about convenience and loneliness.”

14. “I Was Trying To Sabotage The Relationship.” — Julian, 31

“I was unhappy but didn’t have the guts to break up with her. So, subconsciously, I sabotaged the relationship by cheating. I thought if she found out, it would end things for me without me having to pull the plug. I regret it now, but at the time, I didn’t know how else to deal with my unhappiness.”

15. “I Didn’t Value What I Had.” — Kevin, 29

“I thought the grass was greener on the other side, and I was wrong. I didn’t fully appreciate my girlfriend or the relationship we had until I lost it. Cheating was the biggest mistake of my life, and I regret taking her for granted.”

16. “It Was An Emotional Affair At First.” — Ben, 30

“I didn’t physically cheat at first, but I found myself emotionally connecting with someone else. Eventually, that turned into something physical. The emotional cheating was worse than the physical for me because I knew I was betraying her trust long before anything even happened.”

17. “I Didn’t Think I Was Hurting Anyone.” — Ryan, 26

“At the time, I convinced myself that what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. I was wrong. Even though she never found out, the guilt ate me alive, and it destroyed our relationship in other ways. I was lying to myself and to her.”

Final Thoughts: Cheating Isn’t Black And White

Cheating is messy, and while none of these reasons justify betrayal, they highlight that it’s rarely as simple as “he’s just a bad guy.” Often, it stems from unresolved emotions, fear, insecurity, or dissatisfaction. The takeaway? Healthy communication, emotional availability, and honesty are key to preventing situations where someone feels the need to stray.