Torn Apart by Guilt: How to mend my 7-year relationship after cheating?

Ans: Dear Richa

I am sorry to hear about what you're going through in your marriage. Infidelity is a very painful experience and it's completely understandable that you are feeling broken right now. my first suggestion would be to prioritise your own self-care and emotional well-being. Consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor who can help you process your emotions, cope with the pain of infidelity, and develop a plan for moving forward.

In terms of your marriage, it's important to remember that the decision of what to do next is ultimately up to you. It's common for people to feel a range of emotions following infidelity, such as anger, sadness, confusion, and a sense of betrayal. If you do decide to stay in the marriage, it may be helpful to seek out couples therapy or marriage counseling in order to address the underlying issues that contributed to your husband's infidelity and to work on rebuilding trust and intimacy in the relationship.

However, it's also important to consider whether staying in the marriage is truly in your best interests and those of your daughter. Infidelity can be a sign of deeper issues within a relationship, and it may be necessary to take some time to evaluate whether the relationship is truly healthy and fulfilling for you.

Regardless of what you decide, know that healing from infidelity is a process that takes time and effort. It's important to be patient and kind to yourself as you navigate this difficult time in your life, and to remember that you deserve to be in a relationship where you are respected and valued.

Ans: I understand that you are feeling a lot of guilt and shame right now. It is important to remember that you are not a bad person.

Relationships are not always meant to be permanent. Sometimes, people grow apart or realize that they are not right for each other. It is okay to mourn the loss of a relationship, but it is also important to forgive yourself and move on.

You did not do anything wrong. You simply followed your heart and went ahead with what you felt was right at the time. It is not your fault that the relationship did not work out.

The best thing you can do for yourself right now is to focus on self-love and forgiveness. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and learn from them. Focus on your hobbies and other interests. Read good books and spend time with people who make you happy.

You are a good person. You deserve to be happy and loved. Don't let this one mistake define you. You will move on from this and find someone who is right for you.

Here are some additional tips for self-care:

Practice self-compassion. Be kind and understanding towards yourself. Everyone makes mistakes.

Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone is on their own unique journey.
Focus on your strengths. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?

Set realistic goals. Don't try to change everything overnight. Start by making small changes that you can stick to.

Seek professional help if needed. If you are struggling to cope with your emotions, don't hesitate to seek professional help. A therapist can help you to understand your feelings and develop coping mechanisms.

Mohit Arora S
Founder - Real Dating School

www.realdatingschool.com/1-1_call

Ans: Dear Anonymous,

It sounds like you are going through a rough time and I am sorry for it. Here's a thought and I am sure you have thought of it too, try to see things from his perspective. While you know that you never cheated nor meant to, it is important to acknowledge that your boyfriend's feelings are valid. He is feeling betrayed and that's a fact. Now, our goal should be to fix this issue. How do we do it? Communication is the only way. Tell him that you understand his perspective but it is important that he sees yours too. If he wants to vent, listen to him. Do not interrupt or become defensive. Understand whatever he says is coming from his insecurity. I know it's difficult not to take it personally, but his statements will be a reflection of his feelings and not your character. Remember this during the conversation. Once he is done speaking, reassure him that you had no intention of cheating. You can also reassure him of your commitment. Promise to be more transparent and point out that you were honest with him from the beginning. If you had any intention to cheat, you could have easily not shared with him your past. But you did and that shows that you are committed to this relationship. Tell him that you understand the need for boundaries and it is not okay to be in touch with people who make your partner uncomfortable.

Look, rebuilding trust needs work and it also takes time. Both of you need to work on it. You will have to work on making him trust you and he will have to work on letting go of his misconception (which might be his reality) and trust you wholly again. Relationships don't work till two people trust each other completely. If he continues to say that he can't trust you again, it might be best to reconsider this relationship. Even though your words hurt him, you did not cheat on him in reality. Why should you have to live in fear that he will cheat on you merely to take revenge?

After you put in all the effort, see where it goes. If things do not get better, rethinking the relationship would be best. Everyone deserves someone who can trust and be trusted.

Best Wishes.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand that you don't feel good about the decision but that one incident does not define who you are. You were intoxicated and that can alter your senses. Learn to forgive yourself and move past it. It can take some time, but remember, it does not make you a bad person.

Hope this helps.