I cheated.
The words you wish you hadn’t said followed by regretting the events that transpired you to say them. What is it that people think right away when you hear the words “I cheated”? Deceit, lying, guilty, revenge? As fortunate as it is to have a freedom of choice in our own paths, it is unfortunate that we make choices that bring us down wrong paths. And sometimes, some very wrong paths. And to add, sometimes hurting people while doing so.
To clarify, I have never cheated on my husband. But in the past, I have cheated in past relationships. And in one case, maintaining two relationships at the same time. I am sure you are all wondering, “Why would you do that?” To be quite honest, there was no good reason why I did this. And all the reasons I have counted were all based on selfish needs – hardly inquiring at all at how this would affect the people I was cheating on. And that is what’s scary about cheating: it is so simple to do.
A lot of people may counter that it is not simple to do, that the guilt and regret that follow are very hard to deal with. True, but these feelings only follow after you’ve cheated, right? Thus, the simplicity is not very hard to see behind it. But I suppose what you should wonder before pondering upon how simple it is, is if it’s worth it.
First, let us regard what may drive a person to cheat:
1. Loneliness: Robyn and I had arranged to do a fantasy with someone I knew. Everything was planned – Luke was sleeping at my parents and we had arrangements at a hotel to meet. The individual came, prepared and excited, but yet nervous. Really nervous, actually. At the time I could understand because it was his first fantasy, so before we even did anything, I asked him if he has spoken to his girlfriend about the fantasy. He explained to us that it was fine and that his girlfriend did not mind (erm, right) So continuing on, we were just getting into some foreplay when I realized that he was having trouble getting it up. Wow, awkward. Nonetheless, I was very understanding because. duh, he was nervous. After much trepidation with this issue and a long-lasting hour of foreplay, we decided to call it quits. Because I was so curious as to why he was overwhelmed with being nervous, I decided to ask him about it. If it’s his first time he should understand that it’s okay to be nervous. Suddenly, he confessed that he was not ready for it and, truthfully, his girlfriend had no idea what was happening. He felt extremely guilty because he really loved her, and he never wanted to hurt her. I was so frustrated with the fact that he was not honest with her and the situation he had put us in that I kicked him out of our hotel room – blurting out that he really needs to talk to his girlfriend about his priorities and learn to respect her better. Following this I could tell from the way he spoke about her and their relationship that it was obvious he was lonely. His girlfriend was very work-driven and was finishing her master’s in International Business. Because she was always studying and tending to her own affairs, he did not feel very much a part of her life.
In this situation where people may feel lonely in a relationship, then is a good time to have a serious talk regarding priorities and what you each need from the relationship. Understanding that each person has their own things they need to do or want to do, it is efficient in a relationship to have individualism. BUT there is a difference between maintaining priorities and still being a part of the relationship than maintaining priorities and being apart from the relationship. When getting involved in a relationship, people need to understand and sometimes forget that the person you’re with is with you for a reason: to be with you. Rather than taking the “easier” road in getting attention, you really must take that opportunity in finding out why you feel lonely. And let your partner know! If you feel they don’t understand, then that is a bigger conversation you two need to seriously reconsider.
2. Temptation: We are who we are: human beings – civilized yet still loaded with primitive needs. And sometimes for certain individuals, primitive needs may overcome civility and morality. I am sure most people would dismiss that temptation would overrule civility and morality easily, and for most it does, but as it is, we cannot deny the satisfaction of our needs being met – no matter what consequences follow. I am sure many of you are acquainted with the story of Adam and Eve and the Snake. Despite the many luxuries God had given Adam and Eve, they still fell for the cunning snake’s words leading to their temptation to take a forbidden fruit and eat it.
It is certain for one thing that we cannot deny that fact that there are sometimes some people we find attractive who are not our better half. There will always be qualities about people we will be interested in, whether it is good looks, a good personality, etc. But what matters is if the person you are with already has everything you want in a person. If you find yourself saying no, then maybe you really need to think about what it is you truly want.
3. Selfishness: If you choose to cheat on another person, understanding fully that you are showing total disregard of their feelings, then you can’t steer away from the fact that you are being plain selfish. As unfortunate as it is, there are some individuals out there who believe in “living life to it’s potential” – many of which choose to by taking everything they can out of life (and sometimes, other people’s as well) These people usually do not care about anybody but themselves, are highly egotistical, are eminent thrill seekers, and are highly intelligent, highly practiced scam artists. And from what I usually witness, many of these people are deemed very good looking. That is their advantage.
These certain individuals usually are aware of what they are doing (though, there are some of them that are actually not aware). The ones who are aware – as I refer back to being scam artists – believe most of the time that they deserve everything they want. And usually, they get everything they want. When in a relationship, as they have been in many, they are skilled in maintaining character when showing how much they “care”. Despite this, their inner morals are highly unconventional. They believe staying with one person, and only one person, is time wasted and that life is only lived once. Believing this, they usually try to maintain composure in the relationship to keep the individual as their “back-up” while having sex with others behind their partner’s back. The “back-up” is usually used as the structure of all relationships; basically proving to the selfish bastard that everything is balanced and that he can still be in a “long-term, real relationship” while enjoying a lifestyle of freedom and pleasure. This is the main stereotype media portrays men to be (no worries ladies, it’s just television. Don’t believe it!)
For the ones who are not aware of what they are doing (as rare as it is) they merely practice this way of life out of habit or just because that was the influence they grew up with since they were young. These few individuals you will find will actually start to become guilty and empathetic towards the partner they are hurting and find themselves caught in an inner battle between morality and the influence of life they only knew. Their way of life is similar to those who are fully aware of what they are doing.
4. Revenge: It hurts to be cheated on. Why do you think many of us are so insecure? Who likes being on the wrong end of that stick, really?
So what happens if you were hurt badly by someone you love, whether it’s being cheated on or lied to or whatnot? What is your initial reaction? I am sure many of you are in the spotlight of wishing crabs or the clap upon that person (don’t deny it) Or, some of you take it a step further. How malicious and satisfying would it be to see the look on his face if he/she walked in on you with someone else? Don’t lie, I know you’re smirking at the thought!
When you hear the saying “a kiss is sweet, but revenge is sweeter” the sad part about it is that it is true. In many cases, it is gratifying and relieving to see the person who has hurt you go through some sort of pain themselves. Usually this thought happens just after the painful incident has occurred. So why not twist the Golden Rule a little and make it into something more tempting: Do unto others what they have done to you.
Cheating as a revenge is usually bittersweet because though it may have it’s advantages in self-esteem boost, it is also a huge guilt-driver. Purposely choosing to hurt someone by cheating for revenge can leave a little bit of bile in your throat, I’m sure.
5. Miscellaneous: There are other many (unfortunately) other reasons why people choose to cheat. Whether it’s for self-humiliation or infliction for S&M or an excuse on a drunk night with your pals, people do cheat.
Now please take one thing into consideration: just because people cheat does not mean it is likely happen to you. And (though I hope not) if it does, just remember to be the better person. You are stronger as the person who moves on and lives a better life, than the loser who is seen truly for who they are: a cheater.