How can I build the courage to compliment my boyfriend?

I (24f) may sound really shitty for this. I don’t know. I’m open to the feedback though.

Me and my bf (23f) have been together for 5 years. At a point in our relationship he cheated on me while away at college. He went off to buy weed one day left his MacBook open and I saw all the messages.

In the messages I found the lady was 30+, 2 kids , worked at the school he was attending . I also found in the messages pictures she took of him and her while he was driving. Also in the messages she just seemed to be complimenting him ALOT.

Now during this moment in time before I found out about the cheating I complimented my boyfriend all the time. I was so proud to be with him. He was everything to me. I sent him daily affirmations and reminders so that he never forgot how great and handsome he was.

After I found out about the cheating I can’t lie it crushed my spirit . I couldn’t bring myself to compliment him anymore. I just couldn’t like it physically hurt for me to do it.

It did come to a point, possibly at the 2 and a half year mark where he finally started asking why. I told him. He thought I was an asshole but threw in the “but whatever you say” and that was that.

After that I started making more effort towards complementing him. I did it for a while. We broke up for like a year and half tho and we’ve been back together since July 2024.

I find I am now at a point again where I find myself not complimenting him. So how can I do this without sounding awkward? Or it sounding forced?