Why tinker with tacit two-timing entente?

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My wife has been having an affair and it’s been so poorly executed that I actually know the guy’s addresses — both home and work. I have been checking him out recently, and I just found out how much money he earns.

Here’s my problem: I would expose him to his spouse, but he diverts my wife away from nastier ways of getting me back for my little extramarital adventures.

My wife is not the sharpest tool in the shed. She’s just very good-looking in some obvious ways and looks after our kids very well.

So what should I do?

— Bored and Unhappy, West St. Paul

Dear Bored and Unhappy: You actually seem rather comfortable in your dishonest situation, and your wife also has a new partner who seems to be satisfying her, so she’s unlikely to expose your affair. A smart person in your position would be looking for ways to enjoy the balance they’re experiencing and not look for ways to tip the boat.

Enjoy this smooth sailing while you can. Once your wife’s guy is gone, it could get rocky and you may find yourself tossed into the drink.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I finally have a girlfriend again, two years after the worst breakup of my life. I thought I wanted to die until I saw a shrink and realized there was no guarantee of heaven or anything after our lives on Earth, so I better make the best of this situation.

My newest partner was turning me back into a believer in romantic love, but then I got too excited and started talking about marriage and kids. Since Christmas, she has started backing off. Now what can I do?

— Squeezed Too Tight? West End

Dear Squeezed: Squeezing can feel not-at-all healthy to the squeezed. Persuade yourself to allow your new mate a bit of wiggle room in your arms. Just make her feel really glad to be with you, enjoying life more than she realized she could. Those are the feelings that translate into serious love, given enough time.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: New Year’s Eve was a letdown for me. I didn’t see any fireworks or hear anybody talking about 2026 resolutions, so I didn’t make any pledges myself for the first time in many years.

Now, things feel weird to me. I’ve always been a positive person, but without the spoken or written pledges to make healthier choices, I feel kind of lost and feel myself veering into “who cares?” territory. Help me.

— Feeling Down, Charleswood

Dear Feeling Down: Do your part to bolster positive feelings in 2026, instead of going the way of the complainers and negative folks.

You never know what your positive comments will spark in a friend’s mind that could chase out some of their January blues.

Also, did you know positive people are generally healthier and more apt to be proactive in dealing with health issues before they really hold?

Be one of those people, and if somebody makes fun of you, ask them what benefits they get out of being so negative.

If they say, “I avoid disappointment,” you say, “On the contrary — you are already feeling the weight of possible disappointment, before it even shows up.”

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

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