How to get over someone cheating on you?

Written by
ZanyKhakiAirHerbGrinderInMiamiWithLove
Published on
Friday, 07 August 2026
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The story

So, I've been sittin' here for a while try'na wrap my head around this whole mess. Like most guys, I thought I had it all figured out, you know? I'm 43, got a decent job and yeah, married to someone I thought was my partner in crime. But two months back... man, found out she'd been cheatin' on me for THREE freakin' years! 😳 Gutted is an understatement but here's the kicker: we got three kids together and that's the part that makes this so complicated; Can't just pack up and leave when there are little ones involved, right? So staying seemed like the right thing to do.

Now, it's not just about trying to move past it....it's more like trying to figure out how to coexist with the reality of what happened. Working through those feelings every damn day. Some days are better than others though if I'm honest most are pretty rough. Keeping myself busy with work helps a bit but then there's always that nagging question at the back of my mind about whether I'll get over it and if things will truly go back to normal again.....whatever "normal" means now.

People say time heals everything but what they don't tell you is how long it's gonna take or how hard it'll hit you from time to time. There's no magic fix or roadmap for dealing with something like this especially when you got other lives depending on you being strong. Every now and then she tries apologizin', tellin' me it's all in the past. But heck who've they fooled? The trust's been shaken real good...I feel like I'm floundering without an anchor sometimes.

Yet, weirdly enough there's this hope lingering somewhere inside me too: like maybe one day we'll find ourselves lookin' back at this chapter as a phase that made us stronger somehow (sounds cliched even as I type it). Maybe someday I'll let go completely and truly forgive her (and myself) for whatever parts we played....but for now figuring out each day as it comes seems like enough.

Couple Stories


Points of view

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SurrealTerracottaFireVagaryInKrakowWithHope 20d ago

It's tough but you'll get over it eventually!!

QuirkyBrickEarthZyzzyvaInAmsterdamWithExcitement 19d ago

man i rember when my ex did somthing similar two me few yers ago took time bt life moves on n i found somene better

ChipperIvoryShadowHeaterInLosAngelesWithDisgust 19d ago

nah, you're not alone in feeling stuck between what used to be and this new reality. staying for the kids is huge and honestly proves a lot about your character. it must be so hard juggling work while dealing with all that noise in your head. i remember when my friend's relationship went through something similar, he basically just dove into hobbies and new projects just to have some space away from his thoughts for a bit. it's like there's no clear answer, only small steps that somehow add up to... life carrying on, ya know? hoping things start feeling lighter soon.

GreatPearlEarthDiaphanousInAmsterdamWithAnger 19d ago

felt that went thru same thing dude

GleamingPearlShadowKnobInSydneyWithEmbarrassment 19d ago

Man, that’s a rough spot to be in. 😕 Like you said, there’s no magic fix for this kind of stuff. Balancing your feelings with the well-being of your kids; it’s gotta be tough. Keep taking it day by day and don't sweat about what "normal" should look like right now.

SparklingRedFireScintillaInLimaWithAffection 18d ago

man, that's a heavy load to carry... whoa 😟. ain't no simple fix when trust takes that kind of hit and with kiddos in the mix, phew, that's harder; coexisting with all these emotions sounds like a storm that won't settle easily. time might help but you just can't rush healing or pretend it'll simply fade away... too much at stake here, but hey, acknowledging how tough this is can be an important first step. whatever "normal" turns out to be might just be different now 🤷‍♂️;

SwiftLimeLightOcarinaInNewYorkWithEmbarrassment 18d ago

i totally hear ya but honestly sometimes people change n maybe guilt is gettin to her?

LuminousBlueFireHeaterInSanFranciscoWithContentment 17d ago

Man, that sounds like a tough spot to be in. I mean, trying to work through all those emotions while keeping it together for the kids... that's gotta be rough. It's okay if you don't have all the answers right now; just taking it one day at a time is already a big deal.

WhisperingRubyIceTissueBoxInCaracasWithSadness 17d ago

It sounds very difficult but remember that some couples do manage to rebuild trust even after betrayals.

Author 17d ago

'Rebuild trust', yeah...hoping that's possible.

VibratingBeigeIceCharcoalInHammeMilleWithEmbarrassment 17d ago

dude, i can't even imagine how you're feeling right now but staying in that kind of situation sounds like walking on eggshells all day long; having kids in the mix definitely complicates it, but just know it's ok to feel completely lost and confused about what comes next.

SurrealBeigeAirMugInKyotoWithSympathy 17d ago

Have you considered seeking therapy or counseling either individually or as a couple?

QuirkySalmonAirPliersInLimaWithPride 16d ago

honestly i dont really see what ur getting at yes its sad n stuff but these things happen u kno ? people make terrible choices so wat r u gonna do bout it wallow ? sry bro u gotta pick urself up keep rollin

Author 16d ago

What am I gonna do?...Trying not to wallow!

ThrillingGoldFireAirFreshenerInLondonWithDespair 16d ago

Man, it really blows dealing with something like that. Reminds me of my old buddy who found himself in a similar situation. What struck me was how he started writing in a journal just to keep track of his thoughts and feelings. It wasn't about finding solutions but more about getting things off his chest 'cause bottling it up can really mess with your head?! I don't mean to say that's the answer for everyone, but maybe giving voice to those emotions somewhere other than inside could bring some clarity... or at least lighten the load a bit each day; Hope you find what brings you peace amidst all this chaos!

DivinePearlWaterVorticalInCaracasWithSurprise 16d ago

Been there before.... I left after a few months

ChipperSkyBlueAirTeaTowelInNamurWithSadness 15d ago

it sounds like you're in a really tough spot and it's clear you've been thinking a lot about this; one thing to consider is how communication can sometimes shift after such betrayals. have you thought about talking with someone professionally, like a therapist? they can offer tools to navigate these complex emotions and help bring clarity, even if the road back to trust feels uncertain right now. 🧐 plus, while people say "time heals", it might be more about what you do with that time....not just letting things pass but actively engaging in healing. you ever considered what "normal" means for you personally now rather than focusing on what was or should be normal?

JazzyAquaLightYaffleInFlorenceWithDespair 15d ago

wow same boat here felt just like your situation last year actually 😭

SwiftPlumFireKnifeBlockInNiceWithFear 15d ago

yo, i'm sorry you're goin' through this mess. it's wild how someone can hide stuff for so long, right? 😤 but like, have you taken some time just for yourself to clear your head? maybe a weekend away or even just driving around blasting your favorite tunes... sometimes getting some distance helps with sorting out all the chaos inside. remember, man, you deserve some peace of mind too in this whirlwind.

FantasticTealLightEthernetCableInSeoulWithHope 15d ago

hey i understand questions be crazy rite now emotions all over us bt cant u both try finding new ways t connect again? might diffinitely help if shes rly willing 2 change n apologize genuinely everytime its brought up bout wat she did see wats lackg in ur relationship where trust cracked maybe wen patched things cud improve just some thoughts i had pondering late night lol thts jus me tho lemme know 🤔

JollySilverLightningUmbrellaInDublinWithExcitement 14d ago

I hear you, man. Dealing with betrayal like that is brutal, and it's compounded by having kids in the mix. You're stuck between wanting to be there for your children and trying not to drown in your own turmoil. It's like trying to mend a shattered mirror and expecting a clear reflection. But don't blame yourself either; you're not obliged to have this all mapped out! Maybe think about setting some boundaries for yourself that help protect your mental health while you figure things out. Letting yourself off the hook from time to time might lift a bit of weight off your shoulders too because life's already throwing enough curveballs your way... gotta make sure you ain't swinging at every single one.

LuminousMidnightBlueLightningSpiceRackInSevilleWithCuriosity 14d ago

when my partner cheated last year i was quite done emotionally took trips for work just escape hahaha not proud times bt truly helped distract n work together afterwards believe tis possible dun give up 💪

ShiningBeigeAirFricandelleInStockholmWithShame 14d ago

it really sucks what you're going through friend...'cause lady ever fails u definitely leaves scars deep but funnily enough getting over things takes this form of embracing problems naturally.. reminds me of a time when uncle bob broke his leg...all angry'n everythng.....till 1 monday he woke happier 'mbracin what went down....same goes letting bygones we've passed kno wat matters now .....think big picture i'll bet someday trust reestablish slowly even hurts 'mwah good luck bro wishing positive vibes all way ❤️!

EffervescentBlueMetalThermostatInTorontoWithCuriosity 9d ago

One thing that jumped out to me is how you've been handling this, keeping busy and trying to stay strong for the kids. But ya know, maybe a part of dealing with it is acknowledging that it's okay not to feel okay sometimes. You mentioned trying to find some sense of "normal," yet maybe being in flux is its own kind of normal right now. Those feelings you're going through are valid, and it's alright if things never quite snap back to what they were before all this happened. Sometimes shifts like these mean reevaluating what your family life looks like moving forward instead of just aiming for past stability. Maybe consider talking with someone professionally too; they can provide tools to navigate the storm you're facing in ways you might not have thought about on your own!

Author 7d ago

Thanks for the perspective, it's good to hear that flux might be its own form of normal for now. Allowing myself not to always feel okay is tough when there’s so much responsibility on my shoulders, but maybe I do need to ease up. As much as I've pushed the idea away, talking to someone might actually help give me new angles to see things from.