Khloe Kardashian is ‘not ashamed’ of being cheated on by exes, says ‘What was done to me was not about me’; reclaiming self-worth after betrayal

“I know what was done to me was not about me,” Kardashian said. “I know that was about them, and they have past trauma that they’ve never healed from.” When Shetty questioned whether she ever introspected about why her exes cheated on her, she replied, “Oh, my parents or I came from a broken house. It’s always something like that. It’s never about the immediate relationship.”

Kardhashian added, “If it wasn’t for my family, my core circle, and also my relationship with God… I just learned it wasn’t about me.” She revealed that she previously attributed her partner’s infidelity to something lacking within her, but eventually realised that it was on them. However, she emphasised that her approach to these situations was always rooted in “respect and kindness.” “No matter what someone did to me, I was never manipulative or trying to do the same thing back,” she said.

So, how can someone rebuild self-worth and trust after experiencing infidelity in a relationship?

Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, “Heartbreak, especially due to betrayal, activates the same brain region associated with physical pain, hence the heartbreak can feel like physical pain due to overlapping neural pathways. Neuroscientific studies have shown that rejection and emotional pain trigger the anterior cingulate cortex, the same area that processes physical discomfort. It clouds judgment and makes one believe that they are not enough leading to self-sabotage whether by isolating, overanalysing or seeking validation in unhealthy ways.” 

To regain power after infidelity, Khangarot suggests the following steps: 

• Self Affirmation Exercises: Cognitive behavioural studies suggest that positive self talk rewires negative thought patterns. Daily affirmations like ‘I am worthy of love and loyalty’ can help shift self perception. 
• ⁠Purpose-Driven Goals: A study in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that engaging in new learning experiences, hobbies or fitness goals restores a sense of self control. 
• Theraputic Processing: Talking to a therapist about feelings of inadequacy can help in understanding the betrayal reflects the other person’s choice and not ones worth.

How can individuals prevent the emotional pain of past relationships from hardening their approach to future ones?

The brain is wired to compare new experiences with past traumas. Khangarot notes that the amygdala, responsible for processing fear, often signals a warning when a new relationship mirrors any past negative experiences. “This can lead you to hyper-vigilance or avoidance, making it hard to embrace something new,” states the expert.  

To counteract this, she suggests: 

• Mindfulness based practices: Studies show that mindfulness helps break automatic fear responses by keeping the brain anchored in the present. 
• Reframing Thought Patterns: Instead of thinking this will end like the last time actively challenge the thought – “Every person is different, and I have control over my boundaries.”
• Gradual Vulnerability: Taking small steps in trust building rather than rushing into full emotional investment helps balance caution and openness.