True. OP, you need to work on your picking, red flags you may have overlooked, boundaries you may have allowed to be crossed, etc. Becoming genuinely comfortable being alone can be helpful. Work on any trauma or family of origin issues. Maybe look into coda.org. You deserve better! Learning to break patterns is key. |
Find a therapist, OP. You need the support and over time can develop insights. Tell him you are ending things. That will give you a bit of a sense of control back. Work on your sense of self and look into your past/childhood. Patterns of attachment in your family. Bring the subconscious drivers into the light and they will be easier to change. You deserve better and it's up to you to deliver it. Trust is earned over time and this man has shown his true colors. In the future, watch actions more than listening to words and if the 2 don't match, leave. So sorry, take good care! |
| Call your EAP and get a referral to a therapist today, OP. Many do virtual appointments. |
If it makes you feel better---narc cheaters tend to pick 'high value' women as the 'main' piece/wife/significant other. The women are empathetic, very attractive, successful, highly desirable, basically all the qualities anyone could want. This is to reflect back on them. If they can get a main piece like this--they must be very high value themselves. |
Basically--you are a target. And, attractive women attract attractive, successful men and attractive, successful men have many more options/opportunity to cheat. |
| Above posts are true. They marry or partner “up” so they look good. Sorry OP. I feel for ya. |
It does hurt. Take some Tylenol, it will give you a small amount of relief temporarily. |
| Sorry, OP. That's terrible! |
Clearly, you two are not exclusive. Perhaps how you think is the issue. Also, if he's in his 60s how many people can he be dating? Perhaps you are not that fun to be in a relationship with. Just being blunt. Also, unless you are married to him he's not cheating. It's clear you two are barely dating. |
Perhaps you an an a33hole who should be loaded into a rocket and shot into the sun. Just being blunt. |
There’s nothing wrong with you. Cheating is just really, really common. |
As someone who grew up watching my father cheat over and over again on my mom and then eventually the other women he married or dated all after up until he is now old, alone and in diapers - some men are cheaters. They like the thrill, they like women, and they hate or don’t have what it takes to be truly loyal to a partner. That’s it. It’s not you, it’s them. They have a pattern and you need to figure out why you are attracted to cheaters, how to spot one, and then believe you deserve better. Best of luck!
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That’s quite the story you’re telling us. |
| It only ends when you fix your broken picker. |
One of the most common misconceptions is that narcissists only look for emotionally dependent partners who lack confidence and self-esteem. In fact, narcissists are often attracted to strong, confident, and self-assured women. While this may seem counterintuitive, it is important to realize that the narcissistic traits of grandiosity and confidence are really a mask for deep insecurity. What appears to be an overabundance of self-assurance is actually a protective wall designed to block the narcissist from acknowledging his own insecurity and lack of self-confidence. [/b]Narcissists often feel safe with strong partners as they have always struggled with a consistent parent figure. When you take charge, manage life effectively, and create your own success, this becomes a draw for the narcissist. Coupling this with your ability to show empathy and kindness creates a natural magnet for the narcissist who desperately wants to have those characteristics.[b] read here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-and-recovery/202106/why-strong-women-and-narcissists-attract-each-other#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20narcissists%20are%20often,a%20mask%20for%20deep%20insecurity. |