Being cheated on is the worst feeling in the world. On the other hand, being the one who cheats can be awful as well. Statistics show that women cheat almost as often as men. Moving forward after experiencing this isn’t easy, but cheating is not always a relationship death sentence. If you carefully navigate the aftermath, you can come out even stronger.
Here’s what to do if you cheated on your partner:
1. Figure out WHY
You need to figure out the motivation for your cheating. Women cheat because they look for something that they’re not getting in their relationships. If you’re unsatisfied and incompatible with your partner, choosing to cheat is a sign that you need to end the relationship. On the other hand, if you feel like you could be faithful if something changed in your relationship, then you need to take time and work on it.
2. Decide if you’re going to tell your partner that you cheated
There’s no fast and hard rule for confessing your sin. If you know that you messed up and it’s a one time thing only and that it would be too much for your partner to handle, it might be better not to tell them.
3. If you decided to tell them, do it the right way
Telling the person you love of your betrayal is pretty difficult and uncomfortable. You need to choose a private place where you can talk and tell your partner that you’re incredibly ashamed and sorry what you’ve done. Own your mistake and point out that you’re willing to do anything to build the trust again. Emphasize that it will never happen again and do not justify your actions.
4. Expect anger
It’s normal for your partner to be disappointed and extremely angry after you told them. Respect and honor that because it means your partner cares about you and your relationship. Your partner is going to have a lot of questions so you need to be mindful about the information you share.
5. Let your partner go, if they want to
After telling them, your partner may want nothing to do with you. This could be a sign that the relationship wouldn’t last anyway. If your partner wants out, let them go and try moving forward.
6. If your partner wants to stay, move forward together and rebuild what’s broken
It’s great if you decide to work out your issue, but keep in mind that nothing will be the same. The most hurtful things about cheating is breaking the trust and that is really hard to rebuild. Take one day at a time. Try a therapist, it can do wonders for your relationship. Be more open and consistent in your communication with your partner. Make sure that he knows it was a one-time mistake and you’re prioritizing your relationship.