Avoid triggers post-affair
Dear Amy: I was involved in an extramarital affair for 15 years. It was a beautiful and loving relationship. We shared nightly phone calls, managed to take vacations together, and saw each other on weekends.
Then COVID happened. I moved away because of the pandemic, but we still spoke every night. I was not happy. I couldn’t adjust and I missed him terribly.
Our conversations were not as interesting. I blame it on myself. He was working from home and not struggling as much with his relationship with his spouse.
I told no one about the affair. I saw a therapist but it did not help.
My affair partner and I have not spoken in five months. I want to call him every day. This feels worse than a divorce. I am jealous.
His life went on, while I am miserable. Sometimes, I will write an email to his wife letting her know about our affair, but I don’t send it. I check on him (and her, and their family) all day on social media.
Are there resources to help me with my obsession? I am really not in good shape.
Devastated
Dear Devastated: I’m going to sidestep a specific reaction to your long-term extramarital affair, except to say that the end was inevitable.
You need to go back to therapy. If necessary, find a different therapist. Be candid in your sessions.
You are constantly triggering your own anguish and addiction by checking on him all day on social media. It is hurting you. It is also creepy. Disconnect from him on social media. Remove the app from your phone.
You need more actual contact with other people. Leave the house. Go for a walk, or to a coffee shop. Leave your phone behind but bring a book. Observe the world around you.
Call a friend or family member and concentrate on them. You need to build a life that is open and authentic. This will take time.
Dear Amy: I have a dog, “Sandy.” She is pretty wellbehaved and I am working hard with her to attain and maintain good habits.
I’ve always hated it when dogs jump up to greet people. I also don’t want my dog to beg for food, bark for attention or “ask” to sit on someone’s lap.
We’re working on these things, but I’ve noticed that when people come over to visit they tend to let my dog do the very things I know they will find annoying in a few minutes. They will either say, “Oh, it’s OK if she jumps up,” or encourage her to beg.
I’m not sure what to do. Any ideas?
Proud Pup Parent
Dear Pup Parent: Like many people, I got a dog during the pandemic, my first. And I’ve noticed this too: guests being very gracious and patient but also sometimes encouraging negative behavior, or undermining the dog’s better habits.
I’ve started routinely saying to everyone: “Please forgive me, but for the first 10 minutes while you’re here I’m going to discipline the dog while we talk.”
And then I spend 10 minutes saying, “Well, how are you, MOLLY DOWN.”
“I ran into your mom last week — MOLLY DOWN.”
This seems to work! It gives the humans some notice that things are going to be a little wacky at first. It shows them the behaviors I’m discouraging. It also lets the dog know that the house rules are consistent, even when we have guests.