Going through a divorce is like any other major life change: it’s stressful. No matter how long you were married, the act of parting with your spouse can be jarring, heartbreaking, and extremely difficult. Hopefully, you went through the process knowing it was the right move and asked yourself all the necessary questions before going through with it. Now, your romantic and intimate relationships shouldn’t end after your divorce. Indeed, there will come a time wherein you’ll want to consider dating. We understand if this is intimidating. This is why we thought it would be helpful to put together a brief article on this subject. If this is something that you’re interested in learning more about, read on as we break down everything you need to know about dating after divorce.
How Do You Know If You’re Ready to Date?
Part of moving on and being ready to date is having grieved and processed your divorce. This means that you are no longer feeling the extreme emotions around it. If you are, or if you’re still hoping to reconcile, it would be best to wait. Dating will be most successful if you are comfortable with the fact that your marriage has ended, or at least that there is a good chance of it ending.
How Do You Meet People?
Once you’ve processed your feelings about the divorce, are comfortable with the outcome, and are clear about what you’re looking for in the future, you’ll be ready to start dating. You may be wondering how to make this happen.
If you’re looking for dates, you might consider using an app. There are a number of different apps, each focusing on a different type of relationship and how they match people up. Choose ones based on what you’re looking for, and make sure that you set up your profile in an honest way.
Another great way to find people to date is in places where you are already involved. Maybe you regularly attend your child’s sporting events or a neighborhood block party. These can be excellent places to meet people who might be good dates for you. If you are feeling shy about approaching people, let your friends know in advance that you are looking for a date, and ask them if they would feel comfortable introducing you to a single stranger who they think might be a nice match for you.
How Can You Ensure That Dating Goes Well?
Unfortunately, there is no sure-fire way to ensure a date goes well. However, there are things you can do to help make your dating life more prosperous.
It’s likely that you made a lot of mistakes during your marriage. Luckily, dating gives you a second chance to avoid the same mistakes. If your marriage was a whirlwind romance, for example, you might be tempted to rush into a new relationship. However, it’s best to take things slowly when dating after divorce in order to avoid making these mistakes.
Lastly, you’ll want to trust your instincts. There is no right or wrong way to go about dating. There is no rule book you can follow. For the best results, trust your gut and do things according to your personal moral compass.
Conclusion
We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you gain a better understanding of what dating after divorce entails. While it may seem difficult, it’s not something that you won’t be able to overcome as long as you are fully prepared. Despite how difficult dating seems, it’s important that you put yourself out there as you may be holding yourself back from something great. Feel free to look back on this article if you ever need help when it comes to this subject.
Looking for counselling in Calgary? We’re here to help. At Virtuous Circle Counselling, we always work together with our patients to help bring positive changes in their lives with our one-on-one or counselling sessions. Don’t hesitate to contact us and get help today! And don’t forget, we are here to offer counselling in Kelowna as well.
