An emotional affair is forming a strong friendship or relationship with someone who isn’t your spouse. It’s usually marked by intensity, secrecy, and a sense of intimacy that crosses the line into something more than just friendship.
While it may have started out as a physical relationship, you could have felt like you genuinely clicked with that person. That person might have given you the attention you needed, even if it didn’t come right away.
You began to feel “seen,” “heard,” and understood by them more frequently.
An emotional affair can often happen when one person is married and the other person is single. But it can also occur between two people who are both in committed relationships.
It’s not always sexual, but there is usually an intense emotional connection that feels romantic.
What an emotional affair does to a spouse?
An emotional affair is a type of infidelity that can be just as damaging to a relationship as a physical affair.
While there is no physical contact, an emotional affair involves an intimate connection with someone outside of the relationship.
This can include sharing secrets, confiding in each other about personal problems, or engaging in flirty conversations.
Over time, this bond can begin to take precedence over the relationship, leading to feelings of betrayal and jealousy.
An emotional affair can be particularly harmful to a spouse because it can create a rift in the relationship that is difficult to repair.
If you suspect that your partner is having an emotional affair, it is important to talk to them about your concerns. With open communication, you can begin to work towards repairing the damage and rebuilding trust.
How do Emotional affairs usually end?
While every emotional affair is unique, there are some commonalities in how they tend to end. In many cases, the affair partners gradually grow apart as their needs and interests change.
Over time, they may come to realize that they don’t have as much in common as they once thought.
Additionally, the excitement and novelty of the affair often wear off after a period of time, leading to feelings of boredom and discontentment.
In other cases, the affair may be ended abruptly by one of the partners, often due to feelings of guilt or shame. Regardless of how it ends, an emotional affair can take a toll on both partners, leaving them feeling hurt and betrayed.
How to deal with emotional affairs?
If you’re struggling to get over an emotional affair, there are a few things you can do to help you through the process.
Understand that it’s going to take time.
If you’re dealing with the aftermath of an emotional affair, it’s important to understand that it’s going to take time to heal.
Whether you’re the one who was cheated on or the one who did the cheating, it’s important to give yourself time to process what happened and to figure out what you want for your future.
If you’re the one who was cheated on, you may need to take some time to yourself to grieve and figure out if you want to try to work things out with your partner.
If you’re the one who did the cheating, you may need to take some time to figure out why you cheated and whether or not you’re truly sorry for what you did.
Either way, it’s important, to be honest with yourself and with your partner about what happened and to make sure that you’re both committed to moving forward.
Only then can you begin to rebuild trust and move on.
Talk to a therapist.
If you’re finding it difficult to move on from an emotional affair, it may be helpful to talk to a therapist.
A therapist can help you to understand your feelings and can give you guidance on how to deal with the aftermath of the affair.
If you’re the one who was cheated on, a therapist can help you to process your feelings and can help you to decide whether or not you want to try to work things out with your partner.
If you’re the one who did the cheating, a therapist can help you to understand why you cheated and can help you to figure out how to make things right with your partner.
Either way, a therapist can be a valuable resource as you navigate the aftermath of an emotional affair.
Be honest with yourself and with your partner.
One of the most important things you can do after an emotional affair is, to be honest with yourself and with your partner.
If you’re the one who was cheated on, it’s important, to be honest about how you’re feeling and what you want for your future.
If you’re the one who did the cheating, it’s important, to be honest about why you cheated and whether or not you’re truly sorry for what you did.
In either case, it’s important, to be honest with your partner about what happened and to make sure that you’re both on the same page about moving forward.
Only then can you begin to rebuild trust and move on from the affair.
How long does it take to recover from an emotional affair?
An emotional affair can be just as devastating as a physical affair, and the healing process can take time.
If you have been the victim of an emotional affair, it is important to give yourself time to grieve. This may include staying off social media, spending time with friends and family, and getting regular exercise.
It is also crucial to communicate openly with your partner about what happened and how you are feeling.
If you are the one who committed the emotional affair, it is important to take responsibility for your actions and work to rebuild trust. This will require making a commitment to being honest and transparent in your relationship.
The healing process after an emotional affair can be difficult, but it is possible with time, patience, and understanding.
The takeaway
While an emotional affair can be difficult to deal with, there are a few things you can do to help you through the process.
- First, understand that it’s going to take time.
- Second, talk to a therapist.
- Third, be honest with yourself and with your partner.
By taking these steps, you can begin to heal the wounds caused by an emotional affair and move on with your life.