subject: How To End An Emotional Affair - 5 Tips [print this page] Cheating comes in many shapes and sizes, so to speak. The broad spectrum of infidelities include everything from a bit of flirting on one end of the spectrum to a full-fledged love affair on the other.
The concept of an "emotional affair" falls somewhere on the more severe end of the infidelity spectrum. While it make not yet have developed into a bona-fide love affair, most emotional affairs have the very real potential to completely break up a marriage or other steady romantic relationship.
If you are involved in an emotional affair, either as the cheating person or as the injured (cheated-upon) person, here are 5 tips for how to end an emotional affair:
1. The cheating person needs to recognize the pain that the affair causes everyone involved:
Different people who have been injured by their partner who has cheated have different types of emotional reactions, of course. Some of the most commonly-reported emotions include betrayal, anger, frustration, shock, helplessness, resentment, lack of self-esteem, feeling abused, and disbelief. The person who committed the infidelity needs to reach out and officially recognize the pain he or she has caused the other person. Such an acknowledgement has the power to heal.
2. Make sure the injured party witnesses the cheating person breaking up with the outside person:
The emotional affair needs to end right away. There can be no dragging it out or pondering the situation. If the original marriage or relationship is going to survive, the cheating person needs to phone the outside person and break things off while the injured person is present. This action actually and symbolically helps seal the fate of the affair for good.
3. Both members of the original couple need to commit to spending more time together to work this through:
Many couples fall into an emotional infidelity type of situation in part because they are not spending enough quality time together. Of course, the affair is the fault of the person who did the cheating, but both members must shoulder the responsibility of fixing things.
4. Avoid accusations and instead focus on feelings:
As the two of you communicate about what has happened, it is important to completely avoid making accusations at each other. Playing the blame game by either person will only hurt your chances of recovery. Instead, focus on talking about how each of you is feeling, moment to moment. That is the way out of this.
5. Focus on healing the relationship:
Your path of ending the affair can only be completed by following through with healing. Sweeping it under the rug and just moving on with your lives will not be sufficient. You will need to leave no stone unturned as you find your way back to a loving, trusting and happier relationship.
Follow these 5 tips for how to end an emotional affair.
