Thank You, Next! How to Bounce Back After Being Cheated On

Being cheated on in a relationship is the biggest act of betrayal one can do. Not only does it ruin the trust between the two, but it causes a lot of pain and anger towards the victim. They may even feel humiliated because it’s as if they feel “easy” to be targeted and played around like that. However, that incident doesn’t define you or your worth. And most definitely, you can bounce back from it stronger than before.

In this mini guide, we’ll provide you with the right tips on how to bounce back after being cheated on. 

Common Types of Cheating

Unfortunately, there’s no one way to cheat on a significant other in the modern times. Cheating can manifest in various ways, which include:

• Physical Cheating: Involves physical or sexual contact with another person.
• Emotional Cheating: Building a close, intimate emotional relationship with someone outside your relationship.
• Online Cheating: Any online behavior deemed unfaithful between the couple.
• Micro-cheating: Any close, intimate connections outside of your relationship through small actions and words.
• Affairs: A sexual relationship between a pair wherein one or both of them are married or in exclusive relationships.

Causes of Cheating

Some possible reasons why cheating occurs may involve:

• Dissatisfaction and Lack of Connection (sexual, emotional, romantic, etc.)
• Neglect
• Low Self-Esteem
• Grave, unresolved conflicts in your relationships
• Major Life Changes (becoming LDR, having kids, more working hours, etc.)
• Selfishness
• Addiction (sex, vices, etc.)
• Not setting proper boundaries

Healthy Tips on How to Bounce Back From Cheating

It’s more than possible to rise above the tumultuous storm of being cheated on. In this section, we’ll provide you with actionable tips to benefit you during this difficult time.

1 Take a breather and fully immerse in these new emotions.

No one wants to experience being cheated on. But if that’s the case with you, it’s a lot to process mentally and emotionally. It makes you question everything while a huge level of negativity builds up within you. Rather than pushing these feelings away, let those emotions out. It’s the first and most crucial step in moving forward.

It’s valid and okay to mourn the state of your relationship before it combusted like this. It’s also okay to scream and punch your pillows (not the wall) to release your anger and pain. It’s as if all those years you’ve been together went down the drain instantly.

Don’t rush this process either. That way, you can properly restabilize your emotional and mental well-being.

2 Be surrounded by your circle of trusted companions.

The last thing you should do when you’ve been cheated on is isolate yourself. Having your close circle (preferably a small one) for support and reassurance can help you navigate this hazy time. As you still struggle to come to terms with this unfortunate event, your circle of companions grounds you and provides you with advice and comfort. Such a close circle can consist of your friends and trusted family members.

3 Understand that this was not your fault.

Blaming yourself usually follows after finding out you’ve been cheated on. But be aware that cheating is a choice they made, and no prior actions or mistakes you may have made would trigger that. Remind yourself that you have no control over their actions as well. 

To further lessen any self-blame, it’s extra beneficial to be kind to yourself and even seek professional help to better navigate this stressful time.

4 Go on a social media break.

It’s so easy and tempting to go on social media and bash your partner when such emotions from being cheated on are fresh. However, that’ll just cause you more pain, and doing the opposite (aka. fake happiness) isn’t going to help your case. With that being said, stepping away from social media by deleting apps or even deactivating is a great way to clear your mind.

5 Decide what you want to do next.

Assess where you stand in the relationship post-cheating. SheKnows shares the importance of prioritizing yourself, from how you figured out the incident to reflecting on whether you feel safe around your partner. It’s important to have self-stability first, as working through a situation like this can get complex. 

This is also the time to evaluate whether this partner is someone you want to continue a relationship with or not. And what ever you decide to do, push through with it even if it can be tough.

6 Confront and communicate with your partner.

This conversation will be difficult, but it’s necessary, especially if you want full transparency and honesty. It may feel effortless to either avoid the situation or get mad and lash out completely. But it does help you express your worries and feelings after it happens. To fully come clean, tell them how it impacted you and what you want to do next based on the previous post.

7 Take the needed actions to move on.

If your partner remains toxic and shows no remorse after confronting you, breaking up or separating ways may be the ideal succeeding action. If you’re married, it may be more complex. But again, do this for you and your family if they’re involved.  

8 Prioritize self-care.

As mentioned earlier, being cheated on is a major act of betrayal. It’ll blind you from your sense of identity and well-being, making you drown in such pain, distress, anxiety, and anger. And while we validate full emotional acceptance and expression, don’t let it get to the point that it can harm you. 

Self-care can come in different forms, from hobbies to interests. Engaging in them can aid in coping from the situation and healthily and processing your emotions better. For example, if you’re a dancer, take that dance class. Instead of self-combusting, break a sweat instead.

Takeaway

Getting cheated on is the last thing anyone would want to experience in their life. The emotional and mental strain it can bring to the victim can affect their day-to-day life and their future relationships. Most especially, they tend to trust less around others. 

However, knowing your worth, prioritizing yourself, and having the right people around can aid you during this challenging time. Proper communication is also important, whether or not you get a civil talk about it. Be the bigger person who wouldn’t stoop down to such a grave level of betrayal.