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What is the healthiest thing you did for yourself to get you through this process?

How did you stay strong when you feel like a limp noodle?

How did you learn to put your kids first and make the right decisions for them...even when it feels like you are making your STBX's life easier?

What was your turning point to put the past behind you and move forward in a healthy way?

My mantra today is: SANDRA BULLOCK, SANDRA BULLOCK, SANDRA BULLOCK.

The best, healthiest thing I've done is getting into frequent, regular counseling right after DDay. It's been over two years and I still go. My counselor has helped me find out who I truly am, find the beautiful creature I was created to be, and given me courage to fly.

I am going to bump this because I would love to hear from others who have survived this awful hurt and loneliness.

I don't have kids, so I can't answer that part, but other things I did:

1. Counseling

2. Read a lot. "Getting Past Your Breakup" was immensely helpful. After D-Day, I realized I was married to an NPD/ASPD (sociopath) so I did a lot of reading about that, to help me understand. Also at marcandangel.com and baggagereclaim.com.

3. Maintained NC. This is HUGE. With kids, I'm not sure how NC it's possible to be, but set yourself up for success and NC as much as possible.

4. Regular exercise. I was always a runner, but I ramped up my mileage.

5. Ate healthy. Trader Joe's has a bunch of healthy frozen dinners (as healthy as processed food can be) and I relied on them as I was getting back on my feet.

6. Surrounded myself with friends and family. Asking them for help when I needed it. Went out and spent time with them even when I really didn't feel like it -- I was always glad that I did, later.

You'll get through this. Big hugs to you.

IRL support.
IC.
Process every damn emotion.
Journal.
Read a ton of books on abandonment, infidelity, codependency.
Meds.
Prayers.
Read and post on SI (alot).
Took off my rose-colored glasses.
I slowly put my healing and rebuilding on the high priority list. I knew I had to put ME first so at first I just went through the motions and then it became natural.

You WILL get through this and life gets so much better! It takes time but just take it one step at a time.

Hello , believe it or not I feel your pain and I will tell you what I did that helped. In the beginning I read and read and talked to whoever would listen because I could not process or understand? Then I reached anger and I hit the gym and yoga and boxing oh and I did something some would call stupid , I bought a motorcycle. A fast one. I don't recommend this to anyone . But I needed it so I did. And I have no regrets. Yet.! Oh I was in counseling before she cheated at her request because I was jealous and controlling. Blah, blah ! Maybe because she was cheating for two years and lying about it !!! Either way the therapist she picked out told me about the affair before I knew and she has helped me greatly in my recovery. I still see her months later once a week . Oh and stay away from the fake friends or friends who do not understand the impact or side with your x. These people are poison. Just my opinion. Hope all is well. Wishing you the best.

stay away from the fake friends or friends who do not understand the impact or side with your x. These people are poison.

Yess!!!

Two months out. My STBX is in an exit affair. She wanted out. She's got it. Strength comes from you. It's there and you will find it in ways you never thought were possible. You will doubt it is there but it is. I never knew I was so strong. My friends and family have been amazing. Be honest and open. Reach out. It's there. I promise.

I to am separated. I to fort lashed out at for dating. I did not cheat, he did. My marriage was over as soon as another's hands were on his dock. My idea is he broke it, he fixes. If he wants to be with me then we will have to remarry. Legally, we are married, mentally I am divorced. My wh knows this.

First and foremost, I put myself first and my needs first for the first time in a long long time.
I did a budget, got a lawyer, got a counselor, and shared with my BFs who had been through this too.
Read, read, and then read some more.
Stay 180 and NC (if possible...don't know the children situation for you).
Make everything about you. Believe me your H is.
I read Passive Agressive, NPD etc. Found out my H has always been PA.
Knowledge and the Why's answered gave me power. Don't know how much it gave others.
Oh, and friends or family that want you to stay in a M that isn't healthy for you really aren't your friends right now. I have two fantastic friends who do not BS me. The give it to me pretty blunt. So when I was starting to put those rose colored glasses back on, they set me straight really quick.

Learning how to reconnect my heart and mind again through my senses;

Realizing that the blame and awful person he tried to make me into was all lies;

Not feeling bad about needing self-validation;

ETA that one turing point was shutting off connections to him and her like social networks and not searching or wanting to hear about his life anymore. Lately he wants me to know FSR, (for some reason), and I shut my ears;

Learning about the issues he has helped give understanding and realize I could never have been what he thought he wanted and that no one can because of NPD and passive aggression;

In noodle time, I would tell myself that he was winning all the while I was down; that ow would "get" my kids if I lost it; the more I could do meant that he was not beating me down;

The lies and continued hurt into the future helped me out of my BS fog and was a turning point; hearing that he lied to other people and no one was immune helped me see the person he'd become and realize many things, including my ability to relate to him any longer-it helped kill the feelings I had left to see how many people he was willing to hurt for the affair;

My current mantra is "thank you for the life lessons. I'm going to live my dreams you told me were impossible."

[This message edited by Ashland13 at 8:32 PM, September 19th (Thursday)]

I would reiterate the importance of letting your friends and family in to help support you.

It can become easy to isolate yourself - try not to for very long. I did it then would push myself to reach out and appreciated the contact every time.