I have a guilty little secret pressing down on me, something I’ve done that I can’t undo. It started out very innocently, a few minutes here and there, and then evolved in to an all encompassing, distraction I could not deny. I’ve cheated.

Don’t freak out, I didn’t actually “cheat” on my husband. I NETFLIX CHEATED. It’s totally different. It does not rise to the level of “cause for divorce” and he knows after all these years I only have eyes for him. I mean, have you seen him? But I can’t keep my eyes off of our favourite series. I just can’t. I’ve tried.

Do you know what Netflix cheating is? It’s actually a thing, this Netflix cheating.  It’s when you start a series together, agree to only watch it together, then one of you (ME) sneaks episodes behind the other’s back.

The guilt that goes along with cheating is heavy, rewatching episodes you’ve already seen and trying not to give yourself away. The simple question of “what did you do today” becomes an intricate storyline as you avoid spilling the beans about what you really did. The house is just a bit dustier, there’s one extra pile of unfolded laundry, dinner more rushed as you scramble to make it look like you’ve worked all day on it. There is an art to being sneaky.

At least I have the comfort of knowing I am not alone. Netflix uncovered that 46% of global viewers are cheating right now… with their favourite Netflix shows. How do Canadians stack up against their neighbours around the world? Turns out we are a little less polite than you may think, with over a third (37%) of couples streaming behind each other’s backs.  With some many awesome series to lose yourself in, it’s almost impossible NOT to cheat! Who can blame me? That’s how I justify it to myself anyways.

Do you Netflix cheat? What tempts you to watch ahead?

All on the table disclosure: I am a member of the Netflix #StreamTeam program, and receive special perks for sharing all my family’s favourites with you, dear reader. I was not financially compensated for this post.