TrashPanda7 (original poster new member #86753) posted at 2:36 PM on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026
For those that found their spouse was a poor candidate for R, how long did it take for you to accept this? What made you realize this?
If you decided to end things because of this, how did it feel, how did things turn out, how do you feel now?
I'm my situation, my spouse is saying the right things, however they are typically reactionary and not initiated by her. Her actual actions are showing me she is not a good candidate for R.
crazyblindsided ( member #35215) posted at 11:43 PM on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026
My xWS was a poor candidate for R from go. It was me that had a hard time accepting it. I had a major fear of breaking up the family and D. It took me a few years to accept it. When False R hit I knew without a doubt I didn't want to be married to him anymore but had just lost my job and didn't have the means to leave just yet. Took another 5 years of limbo, got myself really strong in therapy and independent with a job when I finally pulled the plug.
For me it felt great to end things. I was stuck in a bad marriage with an NPD serial cheater who abused me sexually and emotionally. Today I feel like I have a second chance at life. I have peace of mind and for the most part I am very happy. Was one of the best decisions I have made for myself in life.
If the actions don't line up with the words, the words will become hollow and you will probably build resentment which typically can lead you to falling out of love.
fBS/fWS(me):52 Mad-hattered after DD (2008)
XWS:55 Serial Cheater, Diagnosed NPD
DD(22) DS(19)
XWS cheated the entire M spanning 19 years
Discovered D-Days 2006,2008,2012, False R 2014
Separated 9/2019; Divorced 8/2024
Shehawk ( member #68741) posted at 12:32 AM on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
For those that found their spouse was a poor candidate for R, how long did it take for you to accept this? What made you realize this?
I was a very slow learner. I needed to wake up and see who he was based on his actions MUCH MUCH sooner….
I did not throw in the towel on the marriage or him until he abandoned me and even then I kept the door open for R for a year after that.
I do not personally recommend my approach.
Instead, I recommend betrayeds taking exquisite care of themselves physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially.
I am truly sorry you find yourself here and I wish you much peace and healing.
"It's a slow fade...when you give yourself away" so don't do it!
Arnold01 ( member #39751) posted at 3:15 AM on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
My story is similarly to Crazy’s. My XH was a poor candidate for R after DD1, but I had a hard time seeing that or accepting that. We muddled through for years and eventually got to a place where I’d say we had a solid and happy relationship again. But because the underlying issues were never addressed, and XH never figured out healthy coping mechanisms for the stresses of ordinary life, I found myself many years later at DD2.
Once DD2 happened, I knew I was done immediately. Asked him to leave the house the instant he was unable to answer the question "are you having an inappropriate relationship with _____?" I filed for divorce the next week, and never looked back. It helped that XH was totally unremorseful, took no responsibility for his actions, and was extremely angry and belligerent. There was zero possibility of R because of those factors.
I will never forget how it felt in the house for the rest of the day, after I told him to leave. The kids and I were in shock because it all happened so unexpectedly and suddenly, but there was an incredible lightness in the house, as if a weight none of us knew we were carrying had been lifted.
I wish you more wisdom than I had. If your spouse is in fact not going to be able to R, I hope that you don’t have to go through years of false R and more DDs before you come to that conclusion. And you and your spouse are still early in this process, so you may be willing to invest more time to see if she comes around to more genuine actions that make her a safe spouse. Whatever path you chose, wishing you peace!
Me: BW. Together 27y, M 24y
D-Day 1: June 2013
D-Day 2: December 2024
Divorced May 2025