Unfortunately, in today's society, relationships between significant others aren't as exclusive as they should be.

It is all too common to hear people say that they have been cheated on or have cheated on their significant other and shrug it off like it is no big deal.

To me, that is not a true relationship. I have always believed that a relationship means that two people want to solely be with each other.

What people don't see when they cheat are the effects it has on the other person. The pain and damage from their actions cripple the other person emotionally. The damage takes such a toll on the person affected that the trust he or she has for every person in their life shatters.

It is nearly impossible to trust someone after such events occur. Even when you do get comfortable with someone, the anxious thoughts continue to creep up.

"What if they betray me?"

"They haven't texted me back—who are they with?"

"How can I be good enough now, when I wasn't before?"

These questions cloud a person's mind and prohibit them from ever wanting to be emotionally involved with someone else again.

Though I personally haven't had an experience with cheating in my own relationship, I have seen its effects on some of my closest friends.

I feel like the media almost encourages cheating. So many songs are about how much a person enjoys spending time with other men/women and how little they care about how their significant other will react to such interactions.

I just never understood why someone who truly doesn't want to be in a relationship stays in one.

Wouldn't it be easier to end the relationship instead of maintaining it while treating other people the way you should be treating your significant other?

Cheating is a selfish act.

The whole reason of being in a relationship is being "off limits" to other people. If you do not have goals or see a future with your significant other, then what is the point?

My inspiration for this article came from the song "Marilyn" by G-Eazy featuring Dominique Lejeune. After discovering this music video, I felt the emotion and betrayal that was portrayed in the song via the video.

Think twice about your actions. They do not only affect you, but also your significant other as well.

The chance of them finding out about the infidelity is incredibly high. The truth will always come out one way or another, and the emotional damage will be everlasting.

Do not let lust overcome your emotions, always think about what you are putting at stake. Would you rather have a one night stand with someone whom you are attracted to because of their looks, or would you rather have an amazingly beautiful relationship with someone who loves you inside and out for all the right reasons?

Since my boyfriend is away at college, I often think of the worst things that can happen with the women in his friend group. The key word is trust. The trust we have for each other took a long time to gain, but we are both so emotionally invested in our relationship that our bond is strong. We have goals and dreams with each other and we would not want to risk it.

If you get anything from this article, understand that your actions do not only affect youself, but also your significant other.

Relationships should not evoke pain and emotional distress, but lifelong love and happiness.