Is It Possible to Have a Healthy Relationship After Online Infidelity?
Due to the evolution of dating apps, online interactions, and social media, online infidelity has unfortunately grown in popularity. Traditional infidelity has often been physical interactions with a person other than your partner. With the use of the internet, cheating now has another level of complexity.
Discovering that your partner is engaging in another relationship can feel devastating. It breaks trust, questions integrity, and causes an overwhelming wave of emotions. However, this does always not mean your relationship is doomed. It is important to recognize that through healing and effort, rebuilding the partnership is possible. But how?
Acknowledge the Hurt
The first step is to acknowledge and discuss the pain this infidelity has caused. Create a safe space to have an open and honest conversation about how each person feels. Practice active listening and try to refrain from judgment. Take turns speaking and do not interrupt one another. Both sides and opinions are important to talk about. This conversation may be challenging and emotional, so be sure to take breaks when needed. Validation will also be important to include in order to begin the healing process.
Rebuild Trust
Rebuilding trust may be the most difficult part of overcoming online infidelity. For this to happen, commitment, patience, and effort must come from both sides. Transparency becomes a priority, with the person who engaged in the infidelity to give up their passwords, social media platforms, and access to online activities. This person must have a genuine commitment to change their behaviors and reassure their significant other.
Setting Boundaries
Moving forward, both partners need to determine what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior within their relationship, especially when it comes to online interactions. Vocalize expectations and needs from one another. Boundaries are about respect and keeping each other safe. It's another way to begin the building of trust and reforming connection.
Compromises can be had, but it is important that both people agree to the terms being set. It fosters value in the relationship and understanding from both sides.
Understanding the Infidelity
Online infidelity can feel much different than physical. It can take multiple forms, from having intimate conversations online, sending explicit photographs, or creating private dating profiles. Just because there wasn't necessarily physical actions done, it does not excuse the hurt and betrayal from connecting with someone else.
It's important to understand the nature of this online relationship. Was it just some fun? Was there an emotional connection involved? How long were they talking with others? A few great questions to start to seek some clarification.
Commitment to Moving Forward
The healing journey will be long, treacherous, and painful. You may start to realize harsh truths about the foundations of your relationship. It is also possible that one or both individuals do not wish to continue on and fix what is broken. This is why open and honest communication is important to start this process.
Understand where both partners stand before making a decision. However, if both individuals are committed to moving forward, fixing the problems, and rebuilding the trust, the relationship has hope to grow and thrive. Understand that there will be setbacks with lots of ups and downs, but it is possible to nurture a healthy, fulfilling partnership.
Seek Counseling
During this challenging time, it may be beneficial to seek help from a mental health professional. Therapists can provide valuable guidance about expressing emotions, address underlying issues in the relationship, and help you learn effective communication strategies. Counselors will take a third-party role and help facilitate discussion, offer perspective, and help to rebuild intimacy. If you feel you and your partner could benefit from services, reach out and schedule a session today for affair recovery.