Love, Heartbreak

The One Emotion That Can Save Your Marriage After Someone Cheats

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If you just found out that your partner cheated, right about now you're probably wondering, "Can I ever forgive him?"

Meanwhile, all of your well-meaning friends and family are likely telling you, "Get out now while you can. Once a cheater, always a cheater!"

But there's a part of you that wonders if leaving is the best option. You think, "Maybe there is something salvageable here."

It's important after an affair to recognize that the really difficult times will pass, and you shouldn't make any decisions early on about what to do with your marriage.


RELATED: Believe It Or Not, It's TOTALLY Possible To Move On From An Affair


Initially after infidelity, it's difficult for you to envision a new, shared future. The one person you turned to in the past for support when you were in pain is now the person causing you pain.

You may feel lonely and confused. You may long for the partner who you always thought was the love of your life. You might start wondering if your relationship was ever as strong or as solid as you thought. Surviving infidelity is never easy.

You may even begin realizing that the marriage will need work if you are to stay together. In fact, this affair is probably a wakeup call; it's time to do some much-needed repair on your relationship if you're going to make it last.

There are two questions to ask yourself before you make any decisions about your marriage:

1. "Does my partner have empathy for how I feel?"

2. "Can I find empathy (not necessarily forgiveness) for him?"

Empathy is the emotion that can potentially save your marriage from the aftermath of an affair.

Eventually, following infidelity, many couples experience a specific type of empathy — a new understanding of what led their partner to cheat, and how it feels for your partner to cheat on you. 

In fact, I see hundreds of couples in my office who come for therapy after an affair. Many have a new vision for their marriage. Some days they forgive and others they don't.

Forgiveness comes in time; empathy is a choice they make every day. 

Staying with your spouse after adultery is a personal and a marital decision, and for many couples, it's a better choice than trading in one partner for another or choosing divorce as an option. It's hard work, but it is possible.

Talk about your feelings with each other. Try to empathize with what it feels like on both sides of the couch, and talk about your new vision of a new monogamy. A new monogamy includes a deeper communication and a more empathetic view of love.


RELATED: 3 Major Reasons Why Women Cheat — And What Each One Means For You


To learn more about creating a lasting and loving relationship, sign up for an eLearn Online Class taught by Dr. Tammy Nelson, a world renowned sex and relationship expert and the author of The New Monogamy and Getting the Sex You Want.

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