I just read your thread. I too was married for 20+ years when I found out my ex was cheating. I know your pain, and the shame and embarrassment that you are inappropriately feeling. You have done nothing wrong. SHE is the one that should feel all the shame and embarrassment!!!
Right now, she has been give all of the power. This is to be expected as you are in shock from being blindsided by all of this, while she has been detaching from you for
Months. She is prepared for all of this!
If you want to heal as quickly as possible, YOU NEED TO GRAB CONTROL!!!! Talk to a lawyer and file ASAP! F you know the name of the “friend” file under adultery and name the pos (piece of $hit)!!! Refuse to do all of this on HER timeline. You will be shocked just how good you will feel when you are in the lawyers office and say, “ok, file immediately.” It will feel like 5 tons have fallen off your shoulders!!!!
And as for “staring over”, you are going back to square one. Don’t let the fear of the unknown paralyze you. If you look up threads about Post-divorce fears becoming reality, you will read that they VERY RARELY become reality for the betrayed spouse that files. However, you will be shocked at just how enjoyable the other side actually is!!!! The number of
Beautiful, caring, funny, intelligent, loyal women seeking a good man like you is mind blowing.
So my advice to you is to:
1) talk to lawyer and file ASAP!!!! It is impossible to overstate how incredible this is to your mental health and healing!!!!!!!!
2). Get another appointment with doctor and get checked out for every STD known to man.
3). Tell the world WHY you are getting divorced. Don’t let her rewrite the history of your relationship or make you the bad guy.
4). See a therapist, it won’t be long term.
5). Start exercising. This will not only get rid of the frustration and anger, but has obvious health benefits.
6). Reconnect with friends. Don’t feel like you are burdening them with your problems. They WANT TO HELP!!!! If roles were reversed, wouldn’t you want to be there for them and help them? Of course you would!!
7). Don’t feel like you have to rush into dating/finding a new woman for your life. She is out there, and when the time comes, you will find each other
8) Find a new hobby or restart and old one to help you fill all your new free time.
Good luck and stay strong!!!!
Remember you’ve done nothing wrong, no matter how she tries to rewrite the history of your marriage!
So, head up! Shoulders back
And be proud that you can definitely look the man in the mirror in the eye!!!
[This message edited by Newlifeisgreat at 3:52 PM, August 2nd (Sunday)]