Let’s face how to gain trust back in a relationship after lying and cheating. Trust in a relationship is like a glass. Once it’s cracked, you can try to glue it back together, but it’ll never look exactly the same. Still, that doesn’t mean it can’t hold water again. If you’ve messed up lied, cheated, or both you probably feel like a human disaster zone. But the fact that you’re reading this means you want to fix it. And that’s a start.
Own It Seriously, All of It
If you’re still in the “I cheated, but…” phase stop. This isn’t a courtroom drama where you’re trying to wiggle out of a sentence. You broke trust. No excuses. Say what happened, how it happened, and why it happened. Yes, it’s uncomfortable. But owning up without filters is the first and possibly most terrifying step to gain trust back in a relationship after lying and cheating.
Funny note: Think of it like cleaning a toilet. Gross? Yes. Necessary? Also yes. No one trusts someone who sprays air freshener over a mess.
Give Them Space But Not Like You’re Ghosting Them
After dropping a relationship bomb, don’t expect your partner to hug it out immediately. They’re going to need time to process the betrayal. Let them feel what they need to feel, even if it’s anger, silence, or passive aggressively liking sad quotes on Instagram.

Still, don’t vanish. Be there. Respect boundaries but make it clear you’re not running away. The key is to let them breathe, without making them wonder if you’re off repeating history.
Talk Like Grown-Ups Not Like Politicians
Sit down. Listen. Actually listen. This isn’t your time to defend every detail. Ask how they feel. Let them vent. Be open to hearing how your actions made them feel like the emotional version of a crushed soda can.
Talk about what they need to maybe trust you again. Not what you think should be enough. Spoiler alert: “I said sorry already” doesn’t cut it.
Make Real Changes Delete Tinder, Buddy
Promises are great. Actions are better. If your partner needs access to your phone, give it. If they want to go to couples therapy, go. If they need you to stop texting your “just a friend” at 2 a.m., delete the chat.
Also Read:- How to Build a Good Relationship with Your Partner
Trust is rebuilt through consistency. That means showing up daily, doing the right thing when no one’s watching, and proving you’re serious about being better not just saying it with sad eyes.
Be Patient Because This Isn’t a 30-Day Challenge
You don’t get to decide when they trust you again. Gaining trust back in a relationship after lying and cheating is like growing a beard. You can’t rush it. You just keep showing up, and one day, there’s progress.
It might take weeks, months, or longer. But if you’re serious, you’ll wait. And you’ll keep doing the work, even when it feels like you’re hugging a cactus.
FAQs
-
Can trust ever be fully restored after cheating?
It’s possible, but not guaranteed. It depends on both people being willing to heal, rebuild, and move forward. Some couples come back even stronger, others don’t. Honesty and time are your best tools.
-
Should I confess even if they don’t know I cheated?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Absolutely yes. Secrets have expiration dates. And building a future on a lie is like building a house on jelly.
-
What if they don’t want to forgive me?
That’s their right. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the relationship might not survive. But you can still grow from it—and avoid making the same mistakes next time.
-
How long does it take to gain trust back in a relationship after lying and cheating?
There’s no fixed time. It’s like asking how long it takes to heal a broken bone depends on the break, and how well you care for it. Focus on your actions, not the calendar.
Final Thoughts
You broke the trust. You might’ve shattered it. But if both of you are still standing in the ruins, looking for pieces to pick up that’s something. Rebuilding trust isn’t about fancy speeches or romantic gestures, though flowers don’t hurt. It’s about showing up, every day, and being a version of yourself that’s worth trusting again.
So grab your emotional hammer and start building. And maybe next time, skip the cheating part. Way less cleanup involved.
1 thought on “how to gain trust back in a relationship after lying and cheating”