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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

surviving after the affair....

69 replies

Phoenixrising99 · 11/06/2014 07:15

My husband left last october after an affair. He told everyone it was a breakdown and not about her. I had no idea about the affair and it is pretty textbook, he says he has not been happy for years, didnt love me anymore etc, the usual rubbish.
Fast forward to now, it has been a hard ride and i thought i was starting to cope.
However, he now is with her and tells all that he is really happy. He struts round like a peacock and expects me to treat him and the slapper amicably!
My question is this: After all he has done to me and is now doing....why does it hurt so much?
Its like i am fighting with myself all the time...I .can see how he has lied/disrespected me/continues to treat me like this yet why do i still feel sad and would have liked the opportunity to go to councelling, to see if we could start again, I dont know if i could move forward or not but I would have liked to investigate.
I do not know where the man i loved and married has gone, its like all he now thinks about is her and that I never existed.

OP posts:
Beehive52 · 11/06/2014 08:44

Hi sending you Flowers, I completely empathise with you, have a look at my thread about OW coming to the house...I have no idea how men can be so utterly ego centric and hurtful...have been reading a lot about humility vs overwhelming pride and narcissism... Think Tony Blair ...and how they lose any sense of decency and reality.

My wonderful gay BF came to stay at weekend and told me I had to understand the male mind...they can compartmentalise ..they can do intimacy and live separate lives unaware of the damage left in their wake.
Bastards Angry

Phoenixrising99 · 11/06/2014 10:13

Thank you so much for that, I know I have to focus on me, rebuilding etc, and I am trying to do that, some days I succeed.

It makes you never want to do this again, start again. I never thought after 13 years of marriage, nearing 50 that I would be single and having to date again yet I would like the chance to rub his face in it for a change. strutting around like a peacock, thinking he is the bees knees. I dont want him to have the satisfaction of destroying me and the OW just loves it all, rubbing my face in at our school. It shocks me the human character, I would never dream of doing that to another woman, yes we all fall in love with new people but to have no shame or respect for another womans feelings, her destroyed family, just amazes me. The crazy thing is the OW has a list of married men behind her and my poor husband is just another one on the list.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/06/2014 10:24

It's always tempting to blame the OW, get annoyed at her letting down the sisterhood and point to strings of gullible married men in her wake etc. However, it's a way of letting your 'poor' exH off the hook when, in reality, the destroyed family is all his doing. He is 100% responsible for his actions and decisions, 100% responsible for his subsequent behaviour, and no OW can make a decent and faithful man behave otherwise.

Phoenixrising99 · 11/06/2014 10:37

I know, you are so right, its just a bombardment of feelings from every dept isnt it...

  1. The end of your romance and the shock of that
  2. having to accept another woman in your face
  3. having to then lose your children every week for 3 days and the challneges of that as a mother ....im not used to all this spare time...i miss them so much
4 the challenge of then having to cope with the other woman hanging out with my children..hearing their stories..

And the husband, scott free, strutting like a peacock. Its hard to know which aspect is the worse and on top of that, your confidence is at an all time low, imaging the husband and OW slagging you off/laughing at you/having great sex.... its just such a personal challenge of non stop emotions and insecurities. :(

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/06/2014 10:44

It's that word 'imagining' that will really ruin your life of course... Hmm Truth is that you can't legislate for how others think or behave but you can drive yourself quietly nuts imagining all kinds of malicious stuff going on behind your back. It is a massive personal challenge, especially when you have to be in some kind of contact for the sake of the DCs and especially when you have too much spare time on your hands to sit and dwell.

That's why you have to consciously shift your thinking, fill your days with absorbing activities, work, hobbies, friends, family ... physically and deliberately go out of your way to give yourself as little time to dwell on the past as possible... looking forward not back. Also set stronger boundaries with your ex, keep the contact to a bare minimum and, if you're not comfortable with something, speak up rather than let it fester.

Phoenixrising99 · 11/06/2014 11:10

You are right, I would give the same advice to someone else. Amazing how hard it is for oneself to do it, thought I had grown out of this insecurity at my age!

OP posts:
Fontella · 11/06/2014 11:26

Hi Phoenix,

Try looking at all this another way if you can. Instead of the unfairness of it all, and focusing on the negatives (nearly 50, having to start again, how tough it's all been... – all true of course but dwelling on it won't change any of it) try looking at them and the situation you find yourself in, in a completely different way. You can't change what has happened. You can't change what they have done and how they behave now. But what you can change is your perspective and also your response. I know it might not seem like it a the moment, but you can, I promise you. I have been where you are.

Firstly, look at the way your H has behaved/is behaving and tell yourself you are now free of it. Focus on that word 'free'. The man you loved and married is gone I'm afraid. He only exists in your imagination. The reality of the person that exists now is a lying cheating scumbag who had an extra marital affair and continues to treat his wife of 13 years (you) appallingly. He also sleeps in someone else's bed every night - by choice. That's the truth of it, and he's certainly not worth your sadness or regret.

Secondly, regardless of what goes on between them, he's not going to tell you he's unhappy now is he? It could all be a sham for all you know – a total sham, or a partial sham, who knows and who cares? The woman he is with has got form - 'a trail of married men behind her' according to you, so he's hardly got himself a catch has he, and she's hardly got herself a catch with your husband. Just another one in a long line of errant husbands. He's a lying cheat and she's a lying cheat and the stone cold truth is they deserve each other. I doubt very much whether they will make each other happy, long term but for the moment he's strutting around like the Lord of the manor and she's walking around like Lady Muck and clearly getting a great deal of pleasure out of rubbing your nose in it.

Don't let them Phoenix. Look at them with the disdain they deserve. How pathetic they are really? The fact that they are even behaving like this, shows you the kind of people they truly are. You are so much better than them honestly. You are better than your H and you are better than her. I hate using cliches but please try to rise above it. They are not worthy of your sadness, upset, regret, envy or any of those emotions. You have wasted enough of yourself on these people, and now it's time to turn your attention to yourself, and your life, and making things better for you.

When you see her Lady Mucking it up the school, instead of getting upset, just smile to yourself at how pathetic she actually is. Let her see you smile if you want. That'll wind her up for certain. I know 'cos I've been where you are and that's what I used to do. Just a little 'smirky-type' smile to myself and an imperceptible shake of the head as if to say 'dear oh dear, how pathetic' and that doesn't half deflate their cockiness - trust me on that. Grin.

They don't need to know that you are feeling like shit inside do they?
Even if you have to put on an Oscar winning acting performance, do it. Let them see/think that they are nothing to you, even if that's not true at the moment. Eventually there will come a time when they will no longer have the power to hurt you .. but that may be some way off, so in the meantime - wing it.

And while you are winging it in regards to your behaviour/demeanour towards them, use the rest of your time to do everything you can for you right now. Get fit, take up hobbies, pamper yourself, do things you love to do, get a spring back in your step, do a bit of strutting yourself!

Oh and one final thing. He's not your 'poor husband' . He's a lying, cheating scumbag who treated you appallingly and continues to do so with his cruel behaviour and you need to remember that at all times.

Phoenixrising99 · 11/06/2014 11:36

I have tears in my eyes, for you, to write all this to me, to take all that time to write that, to someone you dont even know, means the world to me. Thank you from the depths of my soul, I am so grateful I really am.

i will read this on a daily basis to get me moving, both on with my day and my life. Thank you so so much xxx

OP posts:
Beehive52 · 11/06/2014 11:55

Brilliant and helpful posts above, I too have found them difficult to read because they are so true, our husbands are not the same people any more and that hurts like hell. After a 20 year marriage I am quite paralysed and realise only I can make the changes I need.

I do feel for you having to brave it out at school and pretend in front of all the world but fontenella is spot on, keep your head up and value yourself, you have done nothing wrong and need to gather your courage to look her pityingly in the eye, she sounds like a disaster zone!

Keep strong, cry when you need to. Gabrielle's Rise Again is worth a listen!!! Xx

NoImSpartacus · 11/06/2014 11:56

Brilliant post, fontella

Good luck, OP

Phoenixrising99 · 11/06/2014 12:11

Yes, thank god for women and the support and understanding of our friends, family and strangers.

One will never understand how a husband can treat his wife of so many years in such a bad way, on top of the affair, not trying to fix the marriage (which i was unaware had problems fyi)...it is just a shock to the human soul ...the on/off switch of a man. Especially when us women have nothing wrong/evil to them, just been busy with our children, our work and not paid them enough attention at the end of an exhausting day. If only he had expressed things to me but no, much easier to start again with someone else, too much hard work and self anaylsis to work on a marriage!

Makes me want to never trust a man again or b)become a lesbian!

But thank you to all, for taking the time. Surprising how many women have been here and the stories are all the same, whatever the year they are posted, seems to be men worldwide and I guess all of us thought our husbands were the exception and not the type of man who would do this.

OP posts:
Phoenixrising99 · 11/06/2014 12:16

Beehive,

I'm sorry to hear that you have been through this too and are still feeling quite paralysed? Has yours been very recent too? Obviously i am zero help to you as I cannot seem to sort myself out but like you, the advice to us both is to do one hour/day at a time, and not spend the hours I do running it all through in our heads, replaying what I did wrong, etc etc.

Very dull and they aren't doing that are they...I am going to put my trainers on and go for a run. At least I have lost weight, nearly a stone and friends say I have never looked this good so as Fontella says, I am just going to attempt to act like a strong person and with a bit of luck I will become her one day!

OP posts:
Phoenixrising99 · 11/06/2014 12:17

And Gloria Gaynor's I will survive! Corny but true, I listened to that last night!

OP posts:
Beehive52 · 11/06/2014 12:18

Exactly. I used to be so grateful that I had a good, caring, loyal man...... Am going through the bitterness stage today and literally have heartache thinking about it all.

Fontella · 11/06/2014 12:19

Hahaha - I hear you on the lesbian thing Phoenix. I always said if they invented a lesbian pill I'd be straight down the doctor's for a prescription!!

Sadly I'm not at all that way inclined.

Also, not all men are bad, honestly they aren't, even though our own experiences can shock our faith and trust to the core.

What you need to focus on now is you. Make yourself the best you can be, make your life as good as it can be for you (and for your children if you have them - I don't know your background but you mention school etc.)

I've been single seven years and I'm doing just fine!

Take care and good luck
x

Alchemist · 11/06/2014 12:44
Thanks

I am so sorry to read this. I too am one of the ranks of women who have experienced this but just wanted to say that you will trust again.

The posters on my thread said the same and I didn't believe them. However, they were right. So, just keep going, be very kind to yourself and, in time, you will get yourself happy, content and peaceful.

All the best darling x

kentishgirl · 11/06/2014 16:34

Hi OP

It's a rollercoaster of emotions you have to go through and although it's a cliche, only time really heals. What you are feeling is perfectly normal. You'll continue to have good and bad days/weeks/months. Eventually the good will outnumber the bad, and then take over.

Focus on yourself, but also give yourself a chance to think about it/be angry/mourn the loss of your marriage at times. It's the only way to work through it all.

My last relationship ended nearly 2 years ago thanks to cheating bastard ex, and I still get the odd night where I wake up with it all going round and round my mind and I feel all that anger and hurt again. But now only once every few months. I just go with it to a point, and then make a conscious decision to go and think about something else. I'm sure it'll stop completely this year.

(PS you can trust again. I do).

Alchemist · 12/06/2014 05:29

How are you Phoenix?

Phoenixrising99 · 12/06/2014 10:15

Hi Alchemist and thank you for asking.

My kids were with their dad last night and so I went and did my first run with a running club and i have just been out again this morning! This could be my next thing to keep me mentally busy and doing something useful and 'for me' I guess!

After a couple of horrid days of emails with my still husband where he has told me to get a job, etc, it all got very nasty...but I realise that sending horrid emails into the universe is terrible for me, it makes me feel like a horrid person and also ranting at him just allows him to think i am still a sad angry person which I obviously am, but i like Fontella says, I do want to start acting like I don't care and hopefully that acting will make me feel that way in the end!

I really like mumsnet, this has been so lovely over the last few days and it has really helped. xx

OP posts:
Onmyownwith4kids · 12/06/2014 11:33

Phoenix just to offer support and sympathy. My children now have to spend time with husband's affair partner. Hate the fact that they're with the woman who colluded with my husband and helped him break up a fifteen year relationship with children involved. I got utterly paranoid imagining her turning the kids against me but I've realised their loyalty is with me. It's the hardest thing to cope with. But I'm beginning to get better and you will too x

Paddlingduck · 12/06/2014 17:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Beehive52 · 12/06/2014 17:44

Flowers and Wine to all of you.. We are all in such a horrible place.... Waking up lonely and sobbing hurts like hell...I hate feeling so dejected and low. Running sounds wonderful am jealous because am the wrong shape for it!! Today I dressed in my brightest colours and made an effort to listen to upbeat music, have an aim for the day, and do some gardening, I confess to having a weep listening to Amy MacDonald and then carried on smiling .... Having menopausal thought doesn't help either :(

Pinkballoon · 12/06/2014 23:49

Agree with Paddlingduck - job and gardening are good ways of keeping your mind busy for a few hours everyday. I've got into a habit of cutting down bushes and digging every time I get frustrated and angry about it all. Very therapeutic! :)

MrsC1969HJ · 13/06/2014 00:08

Can I just add my sympathy and support...my husband left last October too, 14 years, 2 kids, affair with a recent widow...who has made my life a misery, she is a nasty vindictive cow. A few posters here have posted on my thread and know my story and will tell you that I am a much stronger person than I was 8 months ago and I am starting to come out of the other side. You will too. Make sure you also keep a good close eye on legal things and how you are going to sort all of that out, it's all very well him strutting around and tellling you to get a job..he also has responsibilities to you and your children. The words spoken by Fontella are so very true and pertinent and you will arrive in that place in time. I am starting to realise what a weak human being my STBXH is, what a total oxygen thief he is and that indeed, I had a stranger in my bed. OW is welcome to him, she is a bit like your OW in that she has a "history", never mind a recently dead husband. Some women have no moral compass whatsoever. Keep up the running and I know full well how effective the divorce diet is! Everybody tells me I look fantastic too..so build on it...life is too short. You deserve so much better than the cards you have been dealt. Unfortunately, it is all too common these days. They will get theirs in the end...and you will do exactly as your name suggests and rise from the ashes! Good luck my love xx

MissMarple007 · 15/06/2014 08:37

I can't handle any more shocks! Reading these posts has actually made me feel a whole lot better, even though it's so disappointing to learn that all these husbands are the same, so shallow. Discovered last month that DH is having an affair, and judging by the expensive holidays, fancy hotels and Michelin starred restaurants it's been going on for some time. Was actually a bit of an epiphany in that all those times during our 16yrs of marriage when I felt suspicious of his whereabouts (and he made me feel totally paranoid) I was probably right. Can't understand what makes these men do it; we have a lovely home, two beautiful children and, even though I say it myself, I keep myself in shape and have a job that I enjoy.

Will be serving divorce papers shortly and I have to admit that I'm going to quite enjoy the look on his face. On the advice of my lawyer I don't intend to let him know that I know about his cheating (keeping that one up my sleeve should things get nasty, I'm kind of hoping there may be a shred of decency left in him and he won't want me to tell our children how he has not only lied to me but to them too, although I'm not holding my breath).

I agree that time is the thing you need and although it has taken Herculean strength on my part not to cut up all his suits and drive over his golf clubs, I feel I can hold my head up as I know I have done nothing wrong. Also, I don't want my children's lives to be torn apart by a wreck of a mother, they give me the strength to avoid the wine bottle and the machete. I want my daughters to know that life doesn't have to revolve around a stupid man. In fact, taking on the household bills and responsibilities will be very empowering. He's always enjoyed making me feel like the dumb little wife indoors when actually there's nothing he does that anybody with half a brain and a PC can't do.

He has no idea yet that I know about OW and because he works away in the week, and for the last few months has had various 'work commitments' on a Sunday (yeah, right!), I have been able to cope. The hardest thing now is not to smile when he's busy telling the children how he's got to go and do some very important work but will miss them - he left at 5.30am this morning, Father's Day! (Having just reread that it struck me that he maybe having FD elsewhere, OMG, now there's a thought.)

Anyway, although I too feel sick inside (and was physically sick when I found out - would never have believed it if I hadn't seen the emails with my own eyes) I know I shall get through it and will be better off without him. No more lies, weird behaviour, odd conversations, secretive phone calls by him, all making me feel like I'm the one who's peculiar when it's actually him.

Well good luck to all of us and don't waste any more time on fretting about the stupid twits, or those poor women who take up with them, let's face it, they're not going to change. I only hope that once he's divorced and homeless (oh yes) his grubby little liaisons in country hotels won't be quite so much fun. Ha!

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