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THE LANGUAGE THAT SHRINKS HARM

Normalisation
& minimisation.

Betrayal is often defended not by denying it, but by making it sound common, inevitable, private or too small to name. This page keeps those patterns—and the answers to them—in one place.

Community and anonymous voices Inking Souls writing and replies

CONVERSATIONS · A GROWING ARCHIVE

The phrases that erase the injury.

Excuses, reversals and replies.
Named so they cannot hide.

01INSTAGRAM EXCHANGE · MINIMISING TRAUMA

When betrayal is called a choice.

“He may have his own reasons, there is nothing wrong and nothing right in this life..whatever happens you choose how to deal with it and grow better rather than growing bitter. Choice is always there 🙌🙏”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram

“Bro, I have been through it all believe me it's all nonsense and trying to make sense out of this bullshit is pointless. People cheat and do things that are incomprehensible. So don't worry about me and my thoughts. But if you are so sensitive then better grow up and accept the reality rather than creating your own delulu.”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“May be you are cheating or you have never experienced it. Cheating which is not just cheating but betrayal is the highest form of abuse. It causes immense trauma and therefore mental health problems in victims of trauma. And the additional trauma is people like you trying to normalise it and saying it is reality and the effects on victims are their own faults. Do you hear what you are saying?”

— Inking Souls
02INSTAGRAM EXCHANGE · MINIMISING DECEPTION

When confession is called repair.

“10 saalo tak mere husband ne mujhse apni dusri shadi chupai aur mere sath ekdum Hitler jaisa jivan jiya. Jaise hi mujhe pata laga to apna jhuth expose hote dekh kar usne sab sach bol diya aur ab 14 saal baad wo iss baat ka ahsan dikha k repair hone ki baat karta h. Bolta h maine sab bata to diya 😅😅 bataya nhi...maine jhuth pakda aur phir 4 saal mujhe hi saja mili saman se parivar se...wo ab sab thik karke dono k sath rakhna chahta h 😁😁 ye b uska hi ahsan h...main aapki baat poori tarha samjh sakti hu mam...aapko jo apne sabse best lage wo karo kisi ki mat suno.”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“They are basically psychopaths they don’t have empathy. They don’t think they are doing something wrong they are living in deceptive compartmentalised sexuality a different universe which is family knows nothing about and it inflicts severe trauma on wife.”

— Inking Souls
03INSTAGRAM EXCHANGE · NORMALISING BETRAYAL

When betrayal is called inevitable.

“99.9% men are same it’s just that some get caught and pretend to change and some say ‘mai toh karuga; karle jo tujhe karna hai.’ They don’t change... Save your sanctity and pay attention to yourself. It’s difficult but possible.”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“99.9% is not a statistic. It is a sweeping statement that normalises betrayal and presents deception as inevitable male behaviour.

Affairs are sustained through secrecy, lies and compartmentalisation—one reality is created for the wife and family, while an entirely different life is lived in secret.

The trauma does not begin only when the affair is discovered. It often begins long before that, when his words no longer match his behaviour. The wife experiences emotional distance, secrecy, hostility and unexplained changes while being repeatedly told that nothing is wrong. She lives with cognitive dissonance: her mind is being asked to accept a reality that contradicts what she is observing and feeling.

Discovery brings shock, but it also confirms the reality she may have been manipulated into doubting.

So no, ‘all men are the same’ is not comforting. It minimises the deception, the compartmentalisation and the profound trauma inflicted on the betrayed partner. Protecting ourselves is necessary, but it must never replace accountability for the person who knowingly caused the harm.”

— Inking Souls
04INSTAGRAM EXCHANGE · MINIMISING THE ORIGINAL HARM

When disclosure is called betrayal.

“I hope I don’t Trigger any nerve when I say that marriage is also a confidential matter and I am pretty sure you made this video without the consent of your husband so sharing your personal marriage matter without the consent of your partner is also a profound violation of marriage life. 😊”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“Yes, it is a confidential matter. And since you are so smart, you must also know that this wouldn’t have been a confidential matter if he hadn’t done it.”

— Inking Souls

“So now you guys are even! 😊👍👍”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“It was not about revenge. I had immense trauma, and this was not his first time. And it wasn’t just cheating; it was years of detachment and abuse.”

— Inking Souls
05INSTAGRAM EXCHANGE · MINIMISING SPEECH

When speaking about betrayal is called a loop.

“U r wasting time. Think about urself, ur health, what makes you happy and, if possible, how to stay happy beside ur husband. U r in a loop. Venting is good, but recognising it when it's too much and harmful for ur mental health would be wise.”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“I am not only venting; I am talking about betrayal, lies and deceit.”

— Inking Souls

“I know, but what you are talking is something everyone aware of it. What ppl don't know is how to get out of it. You are just dragging ppl in this loop and feel sorry or getting validation!! If that's the purpose keep going, but the question u need to ask is what are you achieving outta this and how it's going to help you in anyway.”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“Most people don’t know about it. I didn’t either. And if you think it is such a waste, many things on Instagram are a waste—why not scroll on instead of stopping to write such a long comment?”

— Inking Souls
06INSTAGRAM COMMENT · MONEY AND BETRAYAL

When money is used to excuse betrayal.

“You should ask her what she would say if the situation were reversed. Suppose you give money to your husband, and you betray him with another person. Would that be morally, legally, or socially acceptable? From any point of view, would it be acceptable?

Or suppose he doesn’t give you any money for the work you do at home, and then you betray him. Would that make the betrayal acceptable?

If we are talking about money, is this equation really appropriate? Can financial support ever justify betraying your partner? What about ethics, social norms, and legal principles?

And what does this kind of thinking say about a person who is trying to normalise or equate betrayal with money?”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“Thank you so much. Your words mean a lot to me. Speaking about betrayal is not revenge—it is my way of refusing to carry the shame and consequences of someone else’s choices in silence.

And yes, I have learned my lesson about meeting strangers alone. I will be much more careful and always prioritise my safety. ❤️”

— Inking Souls
07INSTAGRAM EXCHANGE · NORMALISING MALE INFIDELITY

When betrayal is excused as male nature.

“I think ur husband is bore of u so take care thts simple. Men are polygamous by nature. So don't worry.”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“What makes you think women are not polygamous? If men think they are entitled to multiple women because they are polygamous, they should not marry—or they should marry someone who thinks like them.”

— Inking Souls
08INSTAGRAM EXCHANGE · SHIFTING BLAME TO THE WIFE

When a wife is blamed for treating her husband like an ATM.

“ज्यादातर महिला शादी को ही गोल मानती है और बच्चे होने के बाद सिर्फ एटीएम मानती है पति को। रिश्ते को रोज जिंदा रखना पड़ता है। वो जरूरी नाही समझती और जब समझती है तब तक बहुत देर हो जाती है।”

“Most women consider marriage itself the goal, and after having children they treat their husband only like an ATM. A relationship has to be kept alive every day. They don’t consider that important, and by the time they understand, it is too late.”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“Yes, a lot of women want to get married and have kids. They manage a house—and mind you, there is a difference between managing a house and managing it well. It is hard work.

I did the same, and my husband benefited from it. He only had to bathe and rush out of the house; that is what he did for all those years. And if he provides, that is not charity. Whom is he earning for, if not his family? For his mistress?”

— Inking Souls
09INSTAGRAM EXCHANGE · PROVIDING AND BETRAYAL

When providing is treated as permission.

“It's like saying: if a woman gives birth to his children and does all the duties expected of a wife, should she then be allowed to have affairs outside the marriage?

Is marriage only about performing as though it is a job, while living entirely your own way otherwise?”

— Anonymous · Comment from Instagram
INKING SOULS RESPONDS

“Exactly. Men change the meaning of marriage for their convenience. It becomes: ‘I provide for you—can't I have an affair? And I'm still a good husband because at least I'm not leaving.’”

— Inking Souls

NAME THE PATTERN

Common does not mean harmless.

And calling an injury ordinary does not make the wound disappear.