Signs You Need Work Wife Boundaries

Working probably consumes more of your time than any other activity in your life. So it’s hardly surprising that you’d have deep connections with people there. The idea of a “work wife” emerged as a result of this fact. It’s a way to describe having an exceptionally close relationship with a female coworker; you’ve probably heard it before. Over half of the men surveyed by SimplyHired had experienced a work wife.

Having a strong friendship with a female coworker is perfectly acceptable. However, in these interactions, we must use caution. If you’re not cautious, spending too much time with one person can lead to an inappropriate level of intimacy, especially for a married man. We need some work-wife limits, and here are three ways to tell.

1. You share things with her you don’t share with your actual wife.

I don’t mean the numbers you had to crunch for your Q1 profits, just so we’re clear. The truth is that your wife is likely relieved that you keep that secret from her. By this, I mean that you talk about more personal matters. Something is wrong if you find yourself opening up to her about your marital problems, feelings of loneliness, or general discontent with life. Physical allure is not a major factor in most affairs. Emotional connection is more important to them instead. You may want to establish some limits as a work wife if you’re doing this kind of emotional intimacy.

2. You hide your interactions with her from your wife.

Do not feel obligated to tell your wife everything that happens to you; doing so is neither essential nor beneficial. A warning sign, though, would be if you started hiding details from her regarding the frequency and nature of your interactions with coworkers. Put it off if you feel awkward about telling your wife about it. That’s all there is to it.

3. You find yourself thinking about her a lot.

Thinking about a coworker too often could be an indication of an unhealthy intimacy forming between you two. It’s one thing when something happens that brings a friend to mind. Still another thing entirely is when you start to fantasize about her on a daily basis, the kind of fantasies you would ordinarily save for a romantic relationship. Get some work-life limits in place if this is occurring.

You may be developing an unhealthy and maybe harmful emotional connection with a coworker if you notice any of these three warning signs. Perhaps a work divorce is in order if you desire a happy and successful marriage. Yes, it could lead to uncomfortable situations at work. But sacrificing a healthy home for an uncomfortable workplace is preferable than the other way around.

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