Cheater to not a cheater...?

[Opinionatedloser]

So i know i'll be opening myself up to be judged, criticized etc but all opinions are welcome good or bad!
I've been in 2 long term relationships and cheated on them both, details are irrelevant as i know cheating is cheating and there is NEVER an excuse for it but both relationships were unhappy and in some ways i know the cheating resulted from that, but i should have just done the right thing and ended it beforehand.
I'll be honest and say that yes part of me enjoyed the sneaking around, texting etc but ive also felt guilty. One partner never knew i cheated and the other i confessed to, he forgave me and wanted to put it behind us but he then cheated on me, which i fully deserved but was devastating so i know how it feels from both sides.
It's been years since those relationships and i am now with somebody and happy but part of me always comes back to that same old question, is it a case of once a cheat always a cheat?
Can anybody relate? I don't ever want to be unfaithful but if ive done it in the past is it inevitable...

I've been the cheater and was cheated on by that guy.
Ugh.

I've not done it since, been with my guy for 6 years now and not even considered it.

Very few people buy one car and keep it for life. You do need to do the odd test drive and decide whether to keep the old boat or not.

@MMadness that's great to hear, i hope i can say the same in 6 years....

I'm confused OP. Why do you talk as if any future actions are somehow out of your control? As if being unfaithful is something that happens TO you, instead of something that you DO?

I don't ever want to be unfaithful

Then don't be.

but if ive done it in the past is it inevitable...

Not if you are over the age of three. YOU are in control of your actions. There isn't some mysterious infidelity monster out there that "makes something happen" without your participation. It takes actual action on your part. Don't do those actions - don't exchange intimacies or secretive text messages, don't hang out with people you are sexually attracted to if you feel controlling that urge is going to be unbearable to resist. You can make your own guidelines up - you've been there and you know what sets you off down the slippery slope. Back away from the edge if you ever feel yourself approaching it.

Of course it's not inevitable. You decide your own life: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”