Brothers, my marriage of 5 years and relationship of 10 ended back in June when I caught on to my wife's shady behavior once she lost a bunch of weight on a GLP-1.

The hardest situation I have ever had to deal with in my life. I will be honest, even being a military veteran, I was never really put to the test like this. It's a different type of pain. I don't wish this type of pain on anyone. I have had girlfriends before, had breakups, but it was relatively mutual, never felt like this especially when you add in the betrayal, infidelity and complete lack of empathy or accountability.

She filed in the beginning of June. She moved out in July and took both dogs with her (one of the dogs died a month ago). I went completely no contact once she moved out. I played the "pick me dance" after she filed..... I was completely in denial to the reality of the situation even though I was the one who confronted her on her behavior. Throughout all of this, THAT was the worst moment of my life. I will NEVER beg and plead with a woman like that again to not walk out on me ESPECIALLY after disrespecting me at the highest level.

The silence in the home was unbearable for a while. The feeling of "holy crap, this is real, I am now on my own here" was a hard pill to swallow for a bit. I have had amazing support from friends, family, co-workers and this subreddit. The gym has been my holy land and I have made some impressive gains since. I have gone on several dates too just to give me a bit of a boost that "i still got it". Dating is 50/50. Highs and lows. Lots of ghosting. Lots of flaky and crazy women, lots of baggage. I am very low effort with it, and it is not a sole focus for me.

Everyone kept telling me things will get better with time. Brothers, it DOES! I look back on my relationship with the ex and realize, now, with clarity, how unfulfilling it was overall. I gave my ALL to that marriage and would have never ever thought to throw in the towel or cheat.... like she did. But, I realize, she really never added any value to my life. Some vacations, some fun moments, mediocre sex, a messy, cluttered house and drama.

I was not perfect, I did get a bit complacent, especially towards the end, but I gave it my all. I gave her commitment, I gave her a home (MY home, I told her to GTFO and she did thankfully), I was her mechanic, landscaper, adviser, listener, lover, safe place.

In the end, she chose to betray, cheat and lie, and then gaslight me and apply gross DARVO tactics to completely confuse me and make me doubt my reality.

Now, with the passing of time, her abuse in the end is being replaced with clarity. I offered her value; she offered me despair.

The divorce should be coming to an end here soon. Not sure how I will feel on that day.

Time brings clarity, time brings closure, time does heal!