How Long Does Affair Recovery Take?
Too Fast? Too Slow?
Everytime I think of this topic, I remember the story of Goldilocks. She tried out the chairs, the bowls of porridge, and the bears’ beds looking for the one the was “just right” for her.
Affair recovery is much the same. There is no universal standard for how long healing will take. Each relationship journey has to find it’s own way. The important thing, however, is that there is movement—in the right direction.
“How long will this take?” It’s the question every betrayed and unfaithful partner asks after an affair. Some people want to move on as quickly as possible, while others remain frozen in the pain for years. But recovery isn’t measured by months or milestones; it’s measured by movement.
In this episode, Tim explores why healing timelines vary so widely and what really determines progress. Through two short audio sketches, he illustrates what happens when recovery moves too fast or lingers too long, when pain turns into pressure or when regret hardens into resentment. Then, he offers a clear picture of what healthy recovery looks like: honesty, empathy, consistent effort, and small moments of safety returning over time.
Whether you’re three weeks or three years past discovery, this episode will help you shift focus from “How long will it take?” to “How far have we come?” and “Where are we headed next?”
LINKS and EXTRAS
Real change for Involved Partners: The Renovate Project
Articles: (1) Getting Over an Affair Too Quickly, (2) Can It Take Too Long to Get Over an Affair?
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