Woman Who Had An Affair Explains How Most Infidelity Starts With 'The Same Story' (2024)

Infidelity can often be a somewhat nuanced experience despite how people regard it; it's sometimes not justabout betrayal but also about the complexities that exist within romantic partnerships, individual motivations, and emotional dynamics.

However, an affair recovery content creator named Rece, who had an affair herself, revealed the common denominator that exists within most relationships that go through one individual or both having an affair.

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She shared how most infidelity starts with 'the same story.'

"Affairs operate in complete fantasy and a lot of delusions. The vast majority of people who end up in long-term affairs think their story is different. They believe that they are actually experiencing true love, a soulmate situation," Rece began in her video. However, that's not always the case. Actually,it's pretty rare if it is.

There's an illusion and desire around the idea of sneaking behind your partner's back and seeing someone else. There's a sense of danger at the prospect of being caught and the glee at finally feeling passion for someone else that probablydidn't exist in the marriage or long-term relationship that you've left.

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Rece, who had an affair herself, insisted that she understood this feeling but warned people that these delusions only exist in their minds. In fact, data has found that only5%of people who cheat end up marrying their affair partner.

Rece explained that these delusions have been manifesting in a person's head for quite some time, whether it's that co-worker you've been partnered with or the best friend you've had for years— you've tricked yourself into thinking you know them inside and out, maybe even better than your actual partner.

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"When we start to get into an affair, our adrenaline and dopamine and serotonin go crazy in our brains. You produce the same amount as cocaine, so you feel much better," she continued. It's almost as if you've been put under a spell, and you tell yourself, because you know this personyou're having an affair with remarkably well, that your story is different. It won't end in flames, and this was the person you were supposed to be with this entire time.

It's such a selfish and reckless act that ends up hurting more people than a person has probably intended. Despite that temporary high and euphoria, the consequences of having an affair mean ruining the life of the person whom someone has previously committed.

Woman Who Had An Affair Explains How Most Infidelity Starts With 'The Same Story' (1)Photo:Antonio Guillem / Shutterstock

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Until you're in an exclusive relationship with someone, you don't know if your story is different.

It's one thing to have an affair and sneak around with someone, whether that's in hotel rooms, traveling to different countries, or even going to their home. Still, it's another to actually be in a relationship with someone. Living with them day in and day out, seeing all of their habits and flaws, taking off those rose-colored glasses, and seeing someone for who they really are.

People often tell themselves that they already know all of these minute details about the other person, but they don't.

"You might not see and recognize the true red flags of the relationship because the dopamine and the adrenaline hide them," Rece said. "Affairs are linked to addiction. Many people who end up in an affair will willingly give up their relationship with their children, will start to distance themselves from any friends or family who tell them they're wrong."

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Woman Who Had An Affair Explains How Most Infidelity Starts With 'The Same Story' (2)Photo:Ground Picture / Shutterstock

Until you go no contact or end the affair, you will not be able to view that delusion for what it truly is. More often than not, it's not true love but infatuation.

Related Stories From YourTango:

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It's the feeling of happiness that someone else desires you and wants to be with you.

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However, the best thing you can do for yourself is to end it and start working on yourself, whether that means looking at your attachment issues and the reason why commitment might be a scary prospect.

Only then will you be able to view relationships as something different and finally find the person you're meant to be with.

RELATED:How A Woman Found Out Her Boyfriend Was Cheating On Her The Exact Moment He Proposed To Her

Nia Tipton is a Chicago-based entertainment, news, and lifestyle writer whose work delves into modern-day issues and experiences.

Woman Who Had An Affair Explains How Most Infidelity Starts With 'The Same Story' (2024)

FAQs

What is the biggest predictor of infidelity? ›

The Biggest Predictors of Infidelity
  • Be less satisfied with their relationships overall.
  • Have lower levels of sexual satisfaction specifically.
  • Have higher levels of sexual desire in general.
  • Report less love for one's partner.
Nov 8, 2021

When an affair ends abruptly? ›

“The end of an affair can be devastating because there was often so much hope sustaining the relationship,” says LaRusso. She advises shifting hope back to yourself, redirecting the energy you gave the affair to your future. “Being able to envision an aligned and healthier future is an essential milestone in healing.”

Does the pain of infidelity ever go away? ›

Although infidelity is emotionally devastating, it is possible to recover and ease your pain over time. However, expect a bumpy ride to peace after such a betrayal. If you're hoping to forget about the infidelity and never think about it again—that's a little less likely.

What is the difference between infidelity and adultery? ›

Infidelity, or cheating, is the act of being either emotionally or physically unfaithful to a spouse or partner, and breaking a commitment or promise during the act. Adultery is engaging in physical, sexual activity, and may be considered a criminal offense and grounds for divorce in certain places.

What is the number one cause of infidelity? ›

1. Lack of emotional or physical intimacy: One of the most common reasons for infidelity is the feeling of being emotionally or physically disconnected from one's partner. When an individual feels that their needs for intimacy are not being met in the relationship, they may seek it elsewhere.

At what age is infidelity most common? ›

These are the 3 age brackets when people are most likely to cheat, according to research
  • Ages: 30-39. Out of all the participants surveyed, 32 per cent of them confessed to having been unfaithful to their partner between the ages of 30 and 39. ...
  • Ages: 19-29. ...
  • Ages: 40 to 49.
Sep 3, 2023

How do you know when an affair is really over? ›

Being open is a key sign that the affair has permanently ended. “Becoming more transparent about one's actions and whereabouts and taking accountability for one's schedule and decisions shows a commitment to rebuilding trust,” Wolf explains.

How do most affairs end? ›

Affairs usually end in one of three ways: divorce and remarriage, divorce and relationship loss, or the recommitment to the relationship that was betrayed. Each of these resolutions to an affair has its own pros and cons.

What is affair fog? ›

“Affair fog” is a term that describes an unfaithful partner's state of mind that promotes and sustains these changes while consumed with an affair. The committed relationship is conceptualized in negative terms while the affair is viewed with euphoria, positivity, or protectiveness.

Can you truly love someone and cheat on them? ›

Many people have affairs even though they love their partners. Infidelity can act as a stressor, with negative, neutral, or even positive outcomes. We can cultivate a spirit of healthy curiosity towards relationship ethics.

How does a cheating wife affect a man? ›

The partner who has been cheated on will likely feel betrayed, angry, hurt, and confused. They will likely feel like they can no longer trust their partner and may experience a loss of self-esteem. Cheating can also have physical consequences.

What hurts most about infidelity? ›

Your beloved found someone who was better and more attractive than you in his or her eyes—at least temporarily. You feel like trash, unworthy of being loved, unworthy of being. That feeling may be the greatest contributor to your misery—what hinders you from healing from the infidelity or even meeting new men or women.

How are most affairs discovered? ›

Text, Email, Social Media DMs. Technology often plays a significant role in revealing affairs. Text messages, emails, social media activity, and even location history on shared devices can inadvertently become the source of painful discoveries.

Where do most affairs start? ›

The Top 5 Places Affairs Start
  • The workplace. The workplace is where most affairs begin. ...
  • The gym. ...
  • Social media. ...
  • Bonding over a shared commitment to a common cause and seeing a person being selfless can quickly stir up the ingredients for an affair.
  • Surprisingly, church is a very common place to begin an affair.
Sep 4, 2019

What are the three types of adultery? ›

It can be sexual, emotional, and/or physical. However, each type differs in how it needs to be approached and responded to. Here are a few key differences. Sexual infidelity stems from the desire for sex.

What is the primary predictor of infidelity? ›

According to a study published in the Journal of Sex Research, relationship characteristics like relationship satisfaction, relationship length, and romantic love are among the top predictors of cheating within a relationship.

What personality predicts infidelity? ›

Individuals high in the Dark Triads: psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism were associated with committing infidelity.

Who is statistically more likely to cheat in a relationship? ›

Men are more prone to cheat than women. However, according to research, 13% of married women and 20% of married men admitted to being unfaithful.

What are the factors leading to infidelity? ›

Why do people cheat? A wide variety of factors can bring out some type of affair. A study of 495 people revealed eight key reasons: anger, low self-esteem, lack of love, low commitment, need for variety, neglect, sexual desire, and circ*mstance.

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