After the Affair

128. Was the Affair Partner Better? The Truth About Comparison


Listen Later

After infidelity, it’s almost impossible not to compare yourself to the affair partner. Were they more attractive? More exciting? Did they have something you didn’t? The mind starts ranking you against them, like a game of Top Trumps, where someone’s ‘stats’ must be higher.

But here’s the truth: this mindset is a trap.

In this episode, join me Luke Shillings as I break down why we compare ourselves to the affair partner, why it makes us feel worse, and how to stop measuring our worth based on someone else’s actions. Because the reality is, infidelity isn’t about someone being ‘better’, it’s about circumstances, unmet needs, and choices.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What do they have that I don’t?”—this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

✔️ Why we instinctively compare ourselves to the affair partner.

✔️ The Top Trumps Effect—why we rank ourselves in different ‘categories’ of worth.

✔️ The illusion of ‘better’—why affair partners aren’t the reason for the betrayal.

✔️ How to shift from comparison to confidence in your self-worth.

✔️ Practical steps to stop the self-doubt spiral.

💬 Question for you: Have you found yourself stuck in comparison? How did you shift out of it? Drop a comment or DM me, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Connect with Luke:

  • Website: www.lifecoachluke.com
  • Instagram: @mylifecoachluke
  • Join the After the Affair community at www.facebook.com/groups/aftertheaffaircommunity

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    After the AffairBy Luke Shillings

    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6
    • 4.6

    4.6

    20 ratings


    More shows like After the Affair

    View all
    Relationship Radio: Marriage, Sex, Limerence & Avoiding Divorce by Dr. Joe Beam & Kimberly Beam Holmes: Experts in Fixing Marriages & Saving Relationships

    Relationship Radio: Marriage, Sex, Limerence & Avoiding Divorce

    502 Listeners

    The Save The Marriage Podcast by Lee H. Baucom, Ph.D.

    The Save The Marriage Podcast

    412 Listeners

    Healing Broken Trust In Your Marriage After Infidelity by Brad and Morgan Robinson

    Healing Broken Trust In Your Marriage After Infidelity

    745 Listeners

    Relationship Revival Podcast: Expert Advice on Relationships, Marriage, Dating by Nicola Beer

    Relationship Revival Podcast: Expert Advice on Relationships, Marriage, Dating

    388 Listeners

    Betrayal Trauma Recovery by Anne Blythe, M.Ed.

    Betrayal Trauma Recovery

    1,419 Listeners

    Optimal Relationships Daily - Dating, Marriage and Parenting by Optimal Living Daily | Greg Audino

    Optimal Relationships Daily - Dating, Marriage and Parenting

    305 Listeners

    From Crisis to Connection - with Geoff & Jody Steurer by Geoff & Jody Steurer

    From Crisis to Connection - with Geoff & Jody Steurer

    203 Listeners

    Relationship Renovation: Marriage Advice, Intimacy & Couples Communication by EJ and Tarah Kerwin

    Relationship Renovation: Marriage Advice, Intimacy & Couples Communication

    170 Listeners

    Helping Couples Heal Podcast by Marnie Breecker

    Helping Couples Heal Podcast

    443 Listeners

    Heal from Infidelity by Andrea Giles

    Heal from Infidelity

    350 Listeners

    Rebuilding Us: Marriage Podcast by Dana Che - Christian Marriage  Coach & Speaker

    Rebuilding Us: Marriage Podcast

    166 Listeners

    Reimagining Love with Dr. Alexandra Solomon by Dr. Alexandra Solomon

    Reimagining Love with Dr. Alexandra Solomon

    299 Listeners

    On Attachment by Stephanie Rigg

    On Attachment

    1,045 Listeners

    Tell Me How You're Mighty: Real Talk About Cheating by Tracy Schorn, Sarah Gorrell

    Tell Me How You're Mighty: Real Talk About Cheating

    168 Listeners

    Betrayal Recovery Radio: The Official Podcast of APSATS by Betrayal Recovery Radio

    Betrayal Recovery Radio: The Official Podcast of APSATS

    59 Listeners