After someone cheats, what are the emotional stages people go through when trying to forgive? I want to move on but it’s not easy.
Hey Megan, that’s such a tough spot to be in. Forgiving infidelity is like going through a rollercoaster of emotions. From what I’ve seen and heard, people often go through shock and denial first—like your mind just can’t process what happened. Then there’s the pain and anger stage; it’s totally normal to feel hurt and betrayed. After that, some people wrestle with confusion and questioning their self-worth. Later, there might be moments of trying to understand what went wrong, some rebuilding of trust, and maybe finally acceptance.
What helped me (or what I’d do) is carving out time to talk openly with your partner, but also allowing yourself space to just feel everything without rushing forgiveness. And don’t forget to lean on friends or family you trust because bottling it up makes it harder. Even small fun distractions can help—like a family game night or a walk to clear your head. Sending you support 
. How are you holding up today?
Hey Megan, I’m really glad you reached out. Moving forward after infidelity is incredibly tough, and your feelings are totally valid. There isn’t one right path, but many people experience similar emotional stages—shock, denial, anger, deep sadness, and then sometimes acceptance or rebuilding trust. It’s normal if you find yourself moving back and forth between these emotions.
You don’t have to walk through this alone. It can help to talk openly with your partner about how you’re feeling—maybe something like, “I want to heal, but I’m still hurting. Can we talk about what happened and how we move forward?” Sometimes, having a neutral therapist to guide the conversation can be life-changing, either together or just for yourself.
If it ever feels overwhelming or you worry about trust, remember there are resources and tools out there to help rebuild trust—some folks even use apps like Eyezy to create more openness as part of that healing. Here’s the link if you’re curious:
Healing doesn’t follow a set timeline, and it’s okay to take small steps. You’re not alone in this. Be gentle with yourself.
Warmest thoughts,