Signs You Should Give Them a Second Chance

The other person has learned the lesson

How can we be certain that someone won’t do anything bad again? Typically, they don’t because they have a lesson to learn. It’s acceptable to think about giving your spouse another chance if they have taken the lessons from whatever they did to you and know how to make things right. If you believe that the other person is unaware of the consequences of their behavior, then nothing has been learned and, regrettably, nothing will change.

When They Honestly Apologize

Sorry doesn’t really fit in this situation. One must own their role in the situation in order to truly move forward after doing something incorrectly. Then, he or she must acknowledge the harm they have done and express sincere remorse. What’s keeping your spouse from doing it again if he or she isn’t sincere in their apology? There is a distinction between saying you’re sorry and truly experiencing it. If your partner sincerely apologizes, you’ll be able to tell. If it’s not real, you should apologize and then end the conversation.

In the end, the choice of whether to continue your relationship or not is entirely up to you, but if you’re having problems making a decision, some of these suggestions may be able to assist.

When Love Is Not Enough

Just because you “love” someone shouldn’t be enough to keep you together. More than just love must exist. Yes, it’s one of the most crucial elements of a relationship, but let’s not overlook the importance of respect, trust, and loyalty. It is not worthwhile to give your mate another chance if love is the only thing holding you two together in the absence of those other factors. You may want to think about a second chance if you two have a solid foundation that provides for a happy and healthy relationship.

When a problem is not severe enough to destroy your foundation

Your partner’s actions that led to this situation in the first place should be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to give them another chance. Without passing judgment, if you believe that what he or she did wasn’t substantial enough to undermine the core of your relationship, it may be worth your while to give it some thought. There are some offenses that irreparably damage a relationship. There are other issues, though, that a couple can get through. If you believe you fall into the latter category, then by all means, follow your heart’s (and mind’s) desires.

Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free

—

This post was previously published on medium.com.

***