It isn't all that uncommon these days to have affair relationships. There are many men who have 'another woman' on the side and in fact there are also quite a lot of women who have 'another man'. It may seem exciting to be involved in an affair relationship but is it really worth losing your marriage or your current long term relationship over?
People often have affair relationships because they are not happy in their current relationship. If this is the case, then why not end the current relationship or take steps to improve it. If you are having an affair or contemplating having one then put yourself in your partner's shoes and think about how you would feel if they had an affair. Would you think it was ok for your wife or husband to cheat on you?
If you're relationship isn't all that exciting or has been having trouble then talk to your partner and let them know how you are feeling. If you're relationship is something you cherish and want to continue then it is worth trying to work out any problems that you have. Your partner can't help work out any problems if they don't know you are unhappy. If you love your partner then you owe them the chance to try and make your relationship work instead of seeking happiness with someone else on the side.
If you are just not happy with your current partner and know that the relationship will never be any better then you should consider ending the relationship instead of having affair relationships to keep you happy. Ending a relationship is a big step and one that you are trying to avoid but if it is inevitable then you should do it.
Sometimes it can seem easier to stay in an unhappy relationship because you may rely on your partner for support. If your partner is the main income earner then it could be a struggle financially if you ended the relationship. If this is the case then it may seem easier to continue having affairs rather than end this relationship and be on your own. If you are unhappy then there is no point trying to reconcile and make a relationship work, and financial reasons are not enough to stay in an unhappy relationship.
Lack of communication is often a big reason why relationships fail when a couple become unhappy but they don't understand their partner's feelings. If you're partner is not aware that you are unhappy or why you are unhappy then they cannot do anything to help the situation. It may be that your partner is perfectly happy in the relationship and assumes that you are too and unless you let them know otherwise then they will continue to believe that everything is all right. If you let them know that you are not happy then you can work together to improve things.
If you have tried to improve the relationship and it doesn't work and you are still unhappy then it's time the relationship came to an end. It is not fair to your partner to leave them hanging on because you are too afraid to take the step and move on even though you are not happy. It is also not fair on your partner if you leave them hanging on while you have affair relationships.
If you are perfectly happy in your current relationship but still feel compelled to have affair relationships then this is something you may want to seek counseling for. It is possible you may have a sex addiction or some deeper emotional issues that need to be dealt with.
Some marriages and relationships survive affairs reasonably easily and others don't. Some partners even agree to allow affairs in their relationship. With this type of relationship they may stay together and share financial responsibilities and even children but both are having affairs and that is accepted.
If you feel that you can never be happy tied down to one person and need to have affairs then perhaps you need someone that is open to having this type of open relationship where you have an agreement that you can both have affairs. This way you are both doing the same thing and no-one will get hurt.
If you have had an affair and your partner has found out, the relationship isn't necessarily over. Many relationships have survived affairs and if you and your partner have a strong commitment then this affair may not have to be the end of your marriage.