Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtleyWilkins
This sounds like you have already done the rational thinking about moving forward, and it sounds like you realize it is worth moving forward. My suggestion is to trust the logic; emotions can be deceptive. You know that: your emotions usually have had you run away from things. You didn't do that this time. That is growth.
One of the most important skills my therapist taught me was that I have a choice in how I react to a situation. You have rationally already made the choice, and it appears to be grounded in good introspection and fairness. Let the emotions go.
Sometimes in life we just have to let certain things go. I'm not saying excuse what she did. You have already had those conversations with your therapist. She's aware of your objections. You both have taken some concrete steps to prevent something like this from happening again. That's mature, rational, problem-solving. Let the rest go so you can move on. That's what I would call forgiveness - and this is the truly comforting kind of forgiveness where the other party has taken responsibility and worked to make amends. Let the hard feelings go.
In relationships that matter and that are healthy, sometimes we have to take a deep breath and make the decision to move forward rather than hold resentment for a particular situation. Healthy relationships can "move forward" because the healthy people in those relationships can see the true effort and caring that is worth letting some things sort of just wash away. You do seem to have a good therapist and this therapy relationship is much healthier than some of the ones you've had in the past. Breathe deeply, realize you've already forgiven, and recognize that through your discussion and problem-solving together, the issue does seem to be worked out. You just have to make the choice.
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I'm trying real hard to stay in wise-mind: trying to respect and listen to my emotions without letting them take over. I have made the choice to stay with her and build our relationship back up. Our foundation of honesty is not broken. Honesty is #1 for us. So the trust is still there.
I had a session with her today and a quick phone call, and both have helped a ton. I'm having some attachment anxiety, but we are working to soothe that.
I don't know if I've forgiven her yet. I'm not even sure what that looks like. I'm so used to being disowned or disowning a person. This is so new to me. I want to say I've forgiven her. Maybe I have? I've kind of flipped the switch and am now trying to protect her and soothe her. I have this intense desire to make sure she's okay, that she knows I love her and choose to be with her. Is that forgiveness? Or is that me trying to dismiss this all because it hurts? Is it still allowed to hurt if you forgive the person? I truly see that this mistake is not her core-self. She, herself, is not bad. And even though breaking my confidentiality is bad, I doubt it will ever happen again. Both her and I are working so it doesn't.
And I still feel hurt. I can't help it. I just feel it. But I'm not letting the hurt control my choices. So I think I'm doing good?