How To Build Trust In Your Relationship After Infidelity

There's a saying, "Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.” The same applies to marriage when you're an unfaithful partner that has made a mistake. But do not play the blame game; there are several things you need to do to regain trust after cheating on your partner. So, how do you restore trust in your relationship after infidelity?

Let's discuss the steps to take when rebuilding trust in your relationship and how to create a stronger connection with your partner.

7 Healthy Ways To Rebuild Trust After Cheating On Your Partner

Don't ignore your mistake; discuss the incident

Regaining your partner's trust isn't easy, but it's crucial. The first step is to talk about what happened, even if it's uncomfortable. Be prepared to answer questions, apologize if needed, and listen to your partner's feelings. Having this kind of honest conversation is key to rebuilding trust.

If you avoid discussing the issue, it could lead to more blame and mistrust, making the relationship even worse. So it's important to face the problem head-on to improve your relationship.

Become as transparent as possible

If you want to rebuild trust after cheating, be as transparent as possible. This means that you should be open and honest about your thoughts and actions. Open communication can help both of you process your emotions together and rebuild your connection.

Take the initiative to create a strong bond of trust. Create a trusting environment where you can talk about anything and everything. Be understanding and forgiving when your partner expresses feelings of anger or hurt. You should respect their feelings and reassure them of your commitment to regaining their trust.

Show remorse

Remorse can be hard to display, but it shows your partner you understand the gravity of what happened and that you value your partner’s feelings.

You can start by listening to your partner without judgment or interruption. Let your betrayed partner know that you understand why they feel hurt. Show empathy for their feelings and confirm them. Don’t make excuses for what you did or argue with them; this will only make the situation worse.

Be patient with your partner if they don't forgive you

Some couples don't forgive each other when serious mistakes happen, such as cheating in marriage. Make sure you do not pressure your partner to forgive you; you are trying to build a trusting relationship. You have to give them space to settle down.

Be accountable for your actions and end the affair

It's hard to admit you were unfaithful, but you can start rebuilding trust by taking responsibility. Own up to your past mistakes, and don’t make excuses.

Also, it's crucial to end the affair with the person you cheated with; delete their number from your phone, delete emails, and any other way of contact. This sounds harsh, but it's a necessary step towards building a healthy relationship and to prevent cheating ever again. You must show your betrayed partner that you're committed to them and not interested in continuing your affair.

Try to reconnect, both emotionally and physically

When your partner is ready to trust you again, start working on getting close like you used to be, both in how you talk and how you act around each other. This can be a slow process, but it’s an important one. Try hugging, holding hands, and other forms of non-sexual physical touch.

If you are comfortable, progress to more intimate acts such as kissing or cuddling. This will help both of you become more comfortable being close to each other again.

Surround yourself with people who have healthy relationships

If you've betrayed your partner's trust, it's crucial to make a strong effort to rebuild it; otherwise, the pain can get even worse. One way to improve is by spending time with couples who have strong, healthy relationships. These couples can serve as role models, showing you what a caring and loyal relationship looks like.

Listening to the advice of couples who have been together for a long time can offer valuable insights. They can help you understand what's essential for a successful relationship and how to mend yours after the betrayal. You can also learn from their mistakes, so you don't repeat them in your own relationship.

Observing these couples can teach you practical skills too, like how to communicate with your partner, how to argue in a fair way, and how to solve problems together. By watching how they interact and treat each other with respect, you can gather ideas to improve your own relationship.

How Can Couple Therapy Help?

To prove that you're ready to change and make your relationship stronger, you may seek professional help from an Online Therapist. Therapy allows both partners to express their intense feelings in a safe and secure environment. During the therapy sessions, the cheating partner must handle tough conversations about why they cheated.

The therapist will help the couple figure out why one person cheated and will also help them work on trusting each other again.

Going to couples therapy can be tough and have its good and bad moments, but it's the best way to help a couple deal with the problems that come after someone cheats. [1]

Conclusion

Fixing trust after someone cheats can happen, but it's hard work. You need to be patient, focus on what's happening now, and also think about what you both want for the future. Remember to keep communication open, apologize with sincerity, and break all ties with the cheating fling.

You can also talk to a therapist who can help you both understand your feelings better and give you helpful tips on how to start trusting and respecting each other again. With the right attitude and effort, you can get back on track and restore trust and mutual respect in your relationship.

You can take this quick general mental health test to assess your general mental state.

FAQ

References

1. Couple therapy in the 2020s: Current status and emerging developments