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Rediff.com  » Getahead » How To Forgive A Cheating Partner

How To Forgive A Cheating Partner

By SYBIL SHIDDELL
Last updated on: November 27, 2023 16:44 IST
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To gain trust and rebuild the relationship, the guilty partner may be required to disclose passwords, express transparency in all forms of communication and be willing to provide comfort to the other partner when required, suggests Sybil Shiddell, country manager India, Gleeden, a discreet extramarital dating Web site.

How to forgive and accept your partner after an affair

Kindly note the image -- a scene from the film Gehraiyaan -- has been posted only for representational purposes.

When you discover that your partner has cheated on you, the healing process can be difficult.

When either partner, irrespective of gender, is found to be unfaithful, it can damage your trust, leaving you emotionally helpless.

Repairing the relationship will most certainly take time and dealing with your emotions is not going to be easy at all.

However, giving your partner a chance to mend his/her ways can take you one step ahead in your relationship.

These are five tips that will help rebuild your relationship after an affair.

  • Stressed about your relationship? Seek help from rediffGURUS HERE.

1. Communicate Sincerely

Communication is the key to the success in any relationship.

Once the news of the affair is confirmed, both partners should be available and honest about discussing their feelings, opinions and concerns.

This includes discussing the relationship itself -- how it began for example, the emotions concerned and how it influences each partner individually.

During these discussions, it's critical to maintain composure and avoid assigning blame to one another.

In order to move forward in a positive way, it's critical to understand and be sympathetic towards each other's viewpoints.

2. Professional Assistance

Through therapy or counselling, you might be able to handle the challenging emotions and circumstances that arise after an affair.

A certified professional counsellor or therapist can provide a secure environment in which both partners are able to talk and work through issues with professional assistance.

These sessions can help you communicate better with each other besides guiding you on how you can manage your emotions and restore the trust that has been lost.

3. Rebuild Trust By Being Transparent

Trust and transparency are the cornerstones of any successful relationship.

When you or your partner have been involved in a romantic relationship, these two pillars get severely damaged.

Rebuilding lost trust calls for tolerance and openness.

In such situations, it is important for the guilty partner to try and be open and honest about the way they respond in the relationship.

To gain trust and rebuild the relationship, the guilty partner may be required to disclose passwords, express transparency in all forms of communication and be accessible and willing to provide comfort to the other partner when required.

Transparency helps create an atmosphere of safety and security in the relationship.

4. Forgiveness And Patience

When you are trying to repair your intimacy after an affair, acceptance and patience is crucial.

It's critical that both parties understand recovery can be a long process that could face roadblocks.

It is essential to practise tolerance towards oneself and others while allowing the emotional wounds to heal naturally.

Even though it is incredibly difficult, forgiveness is also necessary.

Once you realise that the cheating partner is making a genuine effort to mend the relationship, you will gradually learn to let go of the past, not hold grudges and avoid punishing them continuously.

5. Make Efforts To Rebuild Intimacy

Intimacy often diminishes after an affair, both physically and emotionally.

Restoring it requires conscious and equal effort from both partners.

Once you have healed, you can start by engaging in activities that encourage emotional connections. Spend time together and gradually reintroduce physical affection.

It's perfectly okay to take your own time because it's crucial that both partners are comfortable and ready to proceed at a pace that works for them.

Rebuilding a relationship after an affair requires a lot of effort, understanding and patience from both partners.

During this journey of emotional recovery, you will most likely confront harsh truths; at the same time, you will rediscover what love and trust really mean in a relationship.

While these ideas can only serve as a broad framework, remember that each relationship is unique.

The process of rebuilding must be tailored to meet your specific needs and circumstances.

You may also seek help of a professional to help you navigate through the ocean of emotions so you can heal yourself before you heal your relationship.

  • Stressed about your relationship? Seek help from rediffGURUS HERE.

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SYBIL SHIDDELL