IMHO, the things that mostly set the WW from the WAW are the following:
The WW is the result of her holding unresolved resentment (anger) in her heart against her H. This resentment turns to feelings (and behavior) of disrespect toward her H. Anger and disrespect fuel her rebellion. In her wayward mindset, selfishness takes front & center and is her primary motivator. When she has an affair, leaves her H, or acts like GGW, lies, denies, and keeps a hidden agenda........it comes from these areas. The WW's heart can be described as cold & hard.
The WAW, IMHO, does not have the cold, selfish heart of the WW. She is not directed by selfishness. She does not have a hidden agenda that involves an affair or random sexual partners. You don't see her moral integrity dip, like you see in a WW. She doesn't go crazy, try to dress and act like a teenager, or act like GGW. She doesn't breakup the family out of sheer selfishness. She either leaves b/c her H is abusive; is imprisoned; involved in some type of illegal activity; is too controlling, jealous, etc; has an addiction........or something that pushes her to leave him in order to survive. In other words, her leaving can be seen as justifiable.
The MLCW is based on fear. It may be defined by some tragedy or abuse when she was growing up, where she received no therapy or loving support to help her deal with the experience. She tried to go on with her life, but at some point something happens to trigger her buried fear/anger that is linked with her past. Sometimes a recent death of someone close can trigger her fear of getting older and dying. Her overt behaviors resemble the WW.......but they are two different women.
These are three different women.........three different hearts.
It is not about what you feel should work in your M. It is about doing the work that gets the right results. Do what works!
