Thinking about cheating? Here’s what you should think about first

In this Metro feature on infidelity, writer Rosy Edwards explores why people are tempted to cheat and what they should reflect on before acting. The article gathers advice from relationship experts, including Hayley Bystram, founder of elite dating agency Bowes-Lyon Partnership.

Hayley encourages readers to look honestly at the real motivation behind an affair. She asks whether cheating is a way of escaping a relationship you feel unable to leave, or whether you genuinely value your partner and are seeking something else - often excitement, novelty or validation. She notes that boredom, the dullness of everyday life or the winter blues can all fuel the urge to look elsewhere.

By identifying the true underlying need, Hayley suggests people can find healthier ways to bring that sense of aliveness back into their existing relationship, rather than risking a betrayal they may later regret. Other experts in the piece discuss midlife crises, the impact of infidelity on partners, guilt, and alternative ways to seek a “high” such as shared adventures or adrenaline-filled activities.

Overall, Metro presents Hayley Bystram as a voice of calm, practical wisdom, encouraging thoughtful self-reflection and open communication before making a decision that could permanently change a relationship.

Read the article in The Metro.