Affair Confessions

<p>Affairs are by no means good or fair, but they rarely have malicious intent. More often, they’re about quelling the ways adult life can be lonely and disappointing. </p><p>This week’s lustful anonymous confessors began their affairs in Paris nightclubs, Las Vegas strip clubs, and European hideaways; on Seeking Arrangements and Ashley Madison; at work, via email, and though the phone. They fell for their clients, coworkers, bosses - even doctors! While the physical circumstances vary greatly, our storytellers all admit to strikingly similar emotional motivations: trauma, abuse, sexual rejection, unhappy marriages, insecurity, the loss of love. And the words they use to describe the way their paramours made them feel are the same, too: ‘desired’, ‘chosen’, ‘appreciated’, ‘valuable’, ‘loved’.</p><p>I mean, how many times do we get presented with an all-encompassing romantic attraction that makes us really <em>feel</em> something? That isn’t circumstantial, or a void filler, or in pursuit of domestic stability? Where it’s just this inexplicable, chemical heat? </p><p>I’m not saying it’s right. I’m just saying it’s complicated.</p><p>~</p><p>Share your own confession - or love letters and hate mail - at confessions@aliweissworld.com. </p><p>Tales of Taboo is produced and narrated by Ali Weiss. </p><p>Follow Ali on Instagram &amp; TikTok @aliweissworld. </p><p>Audio production by Chris Stathopolous and WTF Media. Theme song by Chris Stathopolous. Cover photo by Erika Flynn. Cover art by Kristen Montenegro. </p><p>If you love the show, please take a moment to leave a rating and review - it's immensely helpful for expanding our network of anonymous confessors around the world. Thank you! </p>