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Q: To make it simple: I cheated on my boyfriend. Twice. Once was with a boy I took a trip to Europe with. We made out after having a few too many drinks. This was back in April. Just a few nights ago, my friend and I went to our friend's apartment and we also drank, so I ended up sleeping on the couch with one of the guys, and we also made out and he tried to finger me but I didn't let him.

I feel like pure crap. I've been with my boyfriend for over three years. I don't even know why I did it, but I'm guessing it was just the thrill of being with someone other than my boyfriend for once (since we've been together so long and that 'infautation phase' has passed). I love my boyfriend more than words can express and he loves me too. There are very, very, very slim chances that my boyfriend will EVER find out about these mistakes. So, I chose not to tell him. These hook ups meant absolutely nothing to me, and were mostly the result of too much to drink (which I have only drank one other time besides these two).

Any advice on how to cope/what to do? I am not going to tell my boyfriend, but I just need some general advice and to know I'm not the only one in this situation. Thanks in advance.
Tell him and he will dump you. Yes, even if he has cheated on you as well. Guys in particular have a huge double standard and their egos while seemingly larger than life, are fragile as eggshell. Guilt is yours alone to deal with and move on. Dumping it on the other person is just not going to make it go away. The truth is that you are not ready for a serious commitment and should not pretend to be. Drinking is never a good excuse or a believable one. The truth you should tell your boyfriend is the one you first need to quit denying to yourself. You do not want to be in an exclusive relationship. You don't love him, you are using him to fill an emotional need and when he is not around you use someone else. Your behavior demonstrates this fact and you feel crappy because you are trying to fake something you really are not ready to commit to. That is okay, just be real about that...but spare him the whole confession for his sake.

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BitsandPieces
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable. To say something you value deeply to another and to have him or her value it equally by listening to it carefully and apppreciatively is the most universal way of exchanging social interest or demonstrating affection." David Augsburger, CARING ENOUGH TO HEAR AND BE HEARD.


All sincere persons will be given thoughtful examination and reply. Please be specific about your situation as it applies to your question, the applicable information and facts necessary for me to properly assess your situation and give you the benefit of my knowledge and experience, which includes: experience/education with mentoring, relationship study, self help, spirituality, poetry, literature, philosophy, psychology, color theory, teaching, parenting, and debate that will be used to your advantage. I am concerned with offering an objective and realistic perspective more than ratings, because this will help YOU. Artificial sweetness is found in diet soda, not in my advice. If you feel that I did not understand your question or need more specifics to help, please let me know, but while all truth is subjective, questioners should be mature enough to hear answers not necessarily agreed with. If you are only looking for someone to tell you just what you want to hear, then you may not be ready for my advice. I believe in personal responsibility, self and other awareness and your power and ability to recreate and redirect your own life. All our misery and joy begins and ends within ourselves, but our willingness to be open can bring the positive or negative energy we seek. If you or someone you know is open to positive help, the resources and caring individuals needed are available now.

http://www.coolnurse.com/

http://www.4woman.gov/violence/

http://www.childhelpusa.org/about/programs-and-services/childhelp-national-child-abuse-hotline-1-800-4-a-child

drug/alcohol abuse help go here: http://www.4drugabuse.com/addiction-treatment.html

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/1800-273-TALK(8255)
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With over 120 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential. -----------------------------------

http://www.kidscrisis.com/

http://www.teenadviceonline.org/gethelp/numbers.html

You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline, operated by RAINN, 24 hours a day, free & confidential. 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

For info. on birth control etc.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/

The Girls and Boys Town National Hotline is the only hotline that children and parents can call with any problem at any time:
Open 24-hours a day, every day at 1-800-448-3000

Spanish-speaking counselors available; translation services for 100+ languages

TTY line available for the hearing-impaired at 1-800-448-1833

Counselors can help find services and agencies in the callers' local community

Help at the End of the Line
Callers talk to highly-trained, professional counselors who listen and give "right now" answers. They're sympathetic people who have expertise dealing with these and other problems:

depression

suicide

running away

parenting problems

relationship concerns

physical, sexual, and emotional abuse

chemical dependency

mental health

anger

aggressive behavior

Toll Free
Operated by Father Flanagan's Boys' Home, hotline services are free of charge to every parent and child in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Canada.

Toll-Free: 1-800-448-3000

http://www.sex-ed101.org/links.html

http://www.anorexicweb.com/anorexicweb.html

Report Child Abuse
Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-4-A-CHILD TDD: 1-800-2-A-CHILD



--------------------------------
All our motivations stem from two: Love or Fear. When in turmoil or indecision, ask yourself from which of these you are acting. If you want an honest response outside of yourself, you need to first be honest within yourself. Bless you on your journey!

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