10 Tips To Get Over Being Cheated On

When someone you love betrays your trust, the pain can feel unbearable. Being cheated on shakes your self-worth, breaks trust, and can even make you question love itself. Unfortunately, infidelity does happen, and when it does, learning how to heal becomes essential so you can move toward a healthier, brighter future.

Even if you were already considering ending the relationship, discovering that your partner was dishonest behind your back hurts deeply. The emotional wounds don’t heal overnight, but with patience, self-awareness, and determination, recovery is possible.

Many people assume that being cheated on leaves only one option—walking away. While some choose to leave, others decide to stay and rebuild what was broken. There’s no universal right or wrong choice. Either way, here are some important things to reflect on before you begin moving forward.

# Make a clear decision

After infidelity, you must decide whether you want to stay or leave. For some, the choice is obvious; for others, it’s incredibly complex. When children or shared responsibilities are involved, the decision impacts more than just you. Ask yourself honestly whether the positives outweigh the negatives. If they don’t—and there are no external obligations—walking away may be the healthiest option.

# Let your emotions out

No matter how strong or resilient you believe yourself to be, bottling up your feelings will only delay healing. Suppressed anger, sadness, and resentment tend to resurface later in unhealthy ways. Talk openly about how you feel—with trusted friends, family members, or a therapist. Expressing your emotions is a crucial step toward moving on.

# Don’t blame yourself

It’s common to wonder what you could have done differently or to assume the betrayal was somehow your fault. But self-blame won’t bring clarity or peace. Accept what happened without rewriting the past. Reflect on the relationship honestly, understand what you want moving forward, and focus on how you want future relationships to look.

# Allow yourself to grieve

Give yourself permission to feel sad. Whether that means binge-watching shows, eating comfort food, or taking time away to cry and reflect—do it. Grieving is not weakness; it’s a healthy response to emotional loss. Eventually, you’ll reach a point where the sadness eases and you’re ready to take the next step forward.

# Have an honest conversation with your partner

Avoiding confrontation may feel easier, but it’s important to talk things through. Your partner needs to understand how deeply their actions affected you, and you deserve clarity and closure. Whether you choose to stay or leave, open communication is essential for emotional healing.

# Create distance if you’re ending things

If you decide to break up, cutting ties—at least temporarily—is necessary. Remaining half-in and half-out of a relationship only prolongs the pain. If you choose to stay, consider couples therapy to address unresolved issues and rebuild trust in a healthy way.

# Be patient with the healing process

Healing after betrayal takes time. You can’t rush it, no matter how much you want the pain to stop. If the relationship lasted years, recovery won’t happen in days or weeks. There will be long, difficult moments, but eventually, you’ll feel lighter, stronger, and ready to move forward.

# Stay away from their social media

Constantly checking their profiles or posts will only keep the wound open. Social media can fuel overthinking, comparison, and emotional obsession. If you truly want to heal, step back and protect your peace.

# Redefine the relationship if you stay

If you choose to continue the relationship, it can’t return to what it once was. Trust has been broken, and new boundaries and expectations must be set. Take time to discuss what you both want now and how to rebuild the relationship in a healthier way.

# Trust yourself more than outside opinions

Friends mean well and want to protect you, but their advice may not always align with what you’re emotionally ready for. Don’t let anyone pressure you into dating again or making decisions before you’ve healed. Ultimately, only you know what feels right for your journey.