How to Heal From an Affair - 5 Ways to Regain Your Self Respect

So it has happened...the one you love has committed the ultimate betrayal, leaving you wounded with no self-respect. The thought of making it through the next minute, let alone the next day, seems impossible. Here's some advice to help you learn how to heal from an affair that's broken your heart.

1. Accept Only Your Responsibility:
Your next step depends on you. You can choose to act on your anger and hurt, or not. In the great big scheme of life, we can only be responsible for our own decisions. No matter how you rationalize it, you did not make your partner cheat on you. When you come to terms with this basic fact, it starts the process of learning how to heal from an affair.

2. Positive Self-Talk:
During this time your injured psyche will say negative things. Reply positively to that talk...turn it around. When your psyche says "I'm not good enough", restate firmly to yourself that "yes I am good enough". Repetition will make your brain believe it. Don't let negative self-talk determine your success at learning how to heal from an affair. Always retort with positive reinforcement for a boost to your self-esteem.

3. Temporary Pain:
We can only deal with the here and now; this minute, this day. We can't change what's happened. This is the reality of the situation. The pain from infidelity is only temporary. It will pass. As you use the tools that teach you how to heal from an affair, it doesn't take quite so long. It hurts, but it gets better.

4. Nurture yourself:
Make a special effort to put some fun back in your life. Before the affair, you had fulfilling activities that brought you laughter. Your self-respect needs that routine more than ever. While you're learning how to heal from an affair, the more fun, satisfying things you do, the better you will feel.

5. Use Your Support Network:
Ideally, you will have friends and family to turn to during these dark times. Sharing your pain with loved ones is an integral component of learning how to heal from an affair. People who love you will tell you things about yourself that you need to hear...things that will boost your self-esteem.