In relationships, a lot can happen that tests the health and longevity of this. Life can be complicated and will test us individually and as a couple. Nothing seems to test or break a relationship faster than infidelity.
Infidelity, or cheating, is something that will inevitably end a relationship. After trust has been broken in this way, the partner who was hurt by cheating often finds that nothing could mend this bond.
Would it surprise you to hear that infidelity does not have to end a relationship? Maybe you have been together for years and your lives were built around one another. Or perhaps your relationship is relatively new and you aren’t even sure if it is worth saving after someone cheated. There is no right or wrong answer to how to move on after infidelity occurs.
For some people, there is no way to go forward with the relationship and that is okay. For others, they want to try to heal and move past it. This post is exactly about that, moving forward and healing from infidelity. Because while that may be challenging, it can be done.
How Couples Can Move Forward After Infidelity
Understanding It Will Take Time
If you want to move on from an affair, both partners need to understand that it will take time. For the partner who cheated, it’s best to remember that the trust has been shattered in the relationship. It will take time for their partner to feel as if they can fully trust again. Likewise, for the partner who was cheated on, it’s crucial to remember that it’s okay if it is going to take time. You don’t have to rush healing or trusting again until you are ready – in fact, doing either of those things could spell further problems for the relationship.
Stay Honest With One Another
The affair happened and suddenly you are tip-toeing around one another. One partner is so angry that they don’t even know what to say. While the other partner doesn’t want to hurt them even further. Staying honest with each other, no matter how hard it is to do so, is an important step to healing from an affair.
For the partner who was hurt, be truthful about what this did to you. How it amped up your insecurities or caused them. Be honest with how angry and upset you are over this. Your emotions are valid and should not be glossed over.
When you are the partner who cheated, it might be really hard for you to open up. Your significant other may question why you did it or want to know how. They may want to know how long this occurred. Tell them. In order to heal from the affair, both partners need to lay everything out on the table if they are going to even think about trying to recover from infidelity.
Know That It May Feel Awkward Between You Two
After infidelity, it’s common for many couples to feel as if they are complete strangers again. There’s an awkwardness that comes with it. It’s almost similar to when you first began dating because you have to get to know one another all over again. Or at least, it can feel like you need to.
More Ways To Heal From Infidelity
Infidelity tests the very core of a relationship and each person individually. It’s a tough subject and situation to go through after the damage has been done. It will, by no means, be easy to deal with in the aftermath. However, it can be done. One of the best ways to try to heal from infidelity is to work with a licensed therapist in couples counseling. I can help support you and guide you both through this challenging situation to hopefully heal and recover. Let’s connect soon.
