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If your partner has been acting a little off lately, it could be nothing or it might be something more serious. Late nights at the office, unexpected business trips, and distant behavior could be potential signs of infidelity. ‘Could’ is an important word to remember here. It won’t do either of you any good to jump to conclusions or make unwarranted accusations. However, if you do believe that your partner is cheating, here are some tips to navigate infidelity successfully.
Navigate Infidelity Successfully #1: Think Things Through
First, it’s important to take a step back and think things through before acting or reacting. After all, you could be wrong about everything. There’s a fine line between being a paranoid, jealous partner and being right about cheating. Demonstrating paranoid behavior and creating drama that isn’t there could cause irreparable damage to your relationship. Talk it over with a trustworthy friend or counselor if you need to before confronting your partner. Good and fair communication is always best in these delicate situations. Though you may not be able to avoid anger, you can learn to control how you behave and how you communicate.
Navigate Infidelity Successfully #2: Make a Plan
It’s important to know what you want in various situations. Maybe your partner hasn’t been physically active with another person but has strayed emotionally. Consider how each scenario feels and how you would handle them. I recommend that you write out what is important about your relationship and have it in your mind when you talk. You can also write down the things that have hurt you. That way you can stick to the topics at hand and not go off of unrelated things from the past.
I believe a plan will help you to navigate a difficult situation, but it doesn’t mean that things will turn out the way you want them to. Whenever you are dealing with someone else’s emotions and choices, there is not control. Compromise and compassion must be present for things to work out successfully for both parties.
Navigate Infidelity Successfully #3: Gather Evidence
I know this may seem weird and even an invasion of privacy, but hear me out. Before you can confront your partner, it’s imperative that you know what has transpired. You don’t want to falsely accuse your loved one of anything. Keep an eye out for secretive behavior and keep records if you want. This will also go a long way if you need legal help with marriage or custody battles later on. Hopefully, your search for answers will show you that there’s nothing going on, but if you do find evidence to the contrary, you’ll need to consider your next steps.
Navigate Infidelity Successfully #4: Be Honest and Forthright with Your Partner
You’re faced with many choices about what to do if you suspect your partner is cheating. Simply being honest and forthright with them about your feelings could be the simplest and least complicated way of getting the answers you need. This is a conversation that needs to happen at an appropriate time. Wait until you have ample time to talk and work through emotions. In other words, it probably wouldn’t be advisable to talk right before work or a family event. Tell your partner you need some extra time to talk about something important.
Explain your concerns and where they’ve come from, and alert them to any suspicious behavior they’ve been displaying. Communication is essential for successful relationships, and you might find that there is a simple explanation for your partner’s behavior. Allow your partner to speak and express feelings during this time. Try to avoid lashing out or exaggerating things.
Dealing with a cheating partner isn’t easy, but I believe that things can work out if you both decide that’s what you want. It’s always best to acknowledge the big picture before making any decisions. If you are married, there are things to consider before you file for divorce. This is a time to be as mature as you can and bring your best self and communication to the table.
