(Nick Galifianakis for The Post)

Compartmentalizing wife’s habitual cheating. Strategy or insanity?

Dear Carolyn: I’ve been serially cheated on by my wife. I have not directly confronted her. We have settled into routine and can enjoy a day without issue if I compartmentalize my knowledge of her deceit, which now comes more easily. My heart is not in it, my kids are my life, my work supports us and fulfills me, along with hobbies.

If I can take what pieces of enjoyment I can from my weak relationship, live my life finding love and fulfillment outside of my supposed partner, and let the kids have a “normal” upbringing in the midst of background secrecy, is that fantastic adaptation and coping in a tough situation, or am I just a masochistic time bomb waiting to have a breakdown?

In the thick of it, I’m not sure if this is strategy or insanity.

— Compartmentalized

Introducing Say More, a new advice column from The Washington Post.

Column  Maura Judkis Say More: Can I skip a party to avoid the former in-law who ruined my wedding?

Carolyn’s been writing her advice column for two decades. Explore the archives below.