Choosing Between Two Men

Oct 8, 2019

“Waiting hurts. Forgetting hurts. But not knowing which decision to take can sometimes be the most painful…” José N. Harris

 

When a woman has had an affair – and falls in love – she thinks she’s now choosing between two men: her husband and her affair partner. But that’s not actually true.

The relationship with her husband likely feels like safety and predictability. But it also feels disconnected, lonely and broken beyond repair.

The relationship she has with her affair partner likely feels like an addiction that she knows is wrong and damaging in many ways but she can’t seem to turn away from. She feels seen, desired and alive again.

This is the place where most women get stuck. They believe they are choosing between two men and it feels like a no-win situation.

After working with hundreds of women that have had affairs, I don’t think the decision is between two men. I think the decision is two separate decisions:

The first decision is: Can I have the relationship I desire with my husband?

This is a yes or no answer, but you won’t ever know the answer until you try. And because you’ve likely tried before and been unsuccessful, you will need to take a new approach.

The affair partner helped you to realize what it is you truly desire (thank you for that….). Now it’s a matter of whether you can feel the way you want to feel in your marriage.

If the answer becomes yes – then all is well. You get the intimate relationship you desire and no blow-up of your life is necessary. Miracles have been known to happen…

And if the answer is no, then your next step is un-winding the marriage as gently and lovingly as possible. If the answer is no because you don’t want to continue trying, your work is also to overcome and quiet the judgments and voices in your head.

After the decision about your marriage has been made, then….down the road there may be another decision to make: Can I have the relationship I desire with my affair partner?

You might think the answer is obvious since he’s the one that brought all those feelings to the surface…but not so fast…

The distinction is that now there’s a new on-ramp into this relationship with the man who was at one point your affair partner and now the man with whom you’re attempting to create a committed relationship.

It will not be the same relationship when you (or both of you) are now fully available to create something real together. There’s a difference between being with someone who is unavailable (and creating a something permanent isn’t a real possibility) to now being with someone who is available and wanting something real and lasting. The dynamic between the two of you changes significantly.

I’m NOT saying it can’t work. I’ve seen affair partners create a really beautiful life together.

I’ve also seen (and experienced it) when it’s a complete shit-show.

Here’s my point:

The decision isn’t choosing between two men.

  1. The decision is first, do you want to remain in the relationship with your husband and create a relationship that feels really good?
  2. If that answer is no, then your next decision is does this next relationship have legs given the new circumstances surrounding the relationship?
    1. And if that answer is no, then that doesn’t mean that you made a mistake leaving your marriage for this affair relationship that didn’t work out. It means he was there as a gift to you – to show you what you were missing and truly desired in your most intimate relationship. And now it’s time to welcome in option C, D, E, F and even Z until you create what it is your heart has been longing and reaching for the entire time.
Choosing Between Two Men

Image of the real decision taking place

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