Dating under any circumstance can be anxiety-inducing, but for people who have been through a divorce or failed relationship it can even feel daunting. Reentering the dating scene after divorce often makes even the most confident people feel like self-conscious sixth-graders at the middle school dance.
You might be more than a little rusty if you’re just starting to date again, but these practical tips (for both men and women) can make the transition easier.
- Heal Yourself From Past Hurt or Anger
Divorce can leave deep wounds, painful memories, and feelings of betrayal. If you are experiencing deep, residual emotions, please seek suitable support to aid your healing. While this may take some time, it will give you the advantage of being ready for a healthy relationship with someone new.
- Start With a Fresh Perspective
No matter what has happened in the past, this is a chance to start anew. Glean essential wisdom from prior relationships, but leave the guilt, shame, and cynicism behind and just move on. Go out with friends talk to them and do things you like the most.
If you can see the opportunity to date as a new adventure, it can help you move through any apprehension. At least join any genuine senior dating site like singleandmature.com, create attractive profile and start looking for someone special.
- Don’t Bring Your Ex On Your Dates Ever
Talking incessantly about your ex in either a positive or negative way can be a real buzz-kill. Many a date has been failed by the ghosts of exes’ past. When you’re on a date, be attentive to the person you came to meet and avoid ruminating over past loves. You’ll both have a much better time spent.
- Stay Away From Rebound Relationships
Date several people before jumping into next exclusive relationship. It can be tempting to get involved in dating very quickly after a breakup or divorce. You might want to fill the empty space in your life or prove your ex that you can still attract a new partner. I have seen many people getting involved even in one night stands just to show off to their exes. This is seldom a good idea. Remember chemistry is not always indicative of compatibility, so you want to make sure you know what you are getting into.
- Try New Things
If it’s been a long time since you have been active in the dating scene, you’ll likely find that many things have changed. If the last date you went on was the senior prom, it’s unlikely you’re current on things like online dating platform. That having been said, if you are willing to experiment, you just might find it’s easier than ever to meet new potential partners.
Trying new things also means dating outside of your type (experimenting with your dating preferences). Many men and women have a penchant for a certain kind of person they feel attraction for, especially when it comes to physical attributes. It’s fascinating to see how often people gravitate toward someone who looks like the ex. If you have a pattern of failed relationships, this is the perfect time to explore your options. For example, If you are a woman then try out options like cougar dating, my point here is you just need to be happy. You may be fortunate enough to meet someone who is a better fit for you, even if you wouldn’t have thought so at first glance. Be willing to look a little deeper.
- Don’t Make Date to Pay for the Sins of Your Ex
Be aware or you might project your beliefs, anger, or pain from your past failed relationship on to someone new. For example, if you believe men are untrustworthy or women are overly emotional, you might overreact to something innocent a new partner says or does. Don’t expect them to be perfect or expect them to right the wrongs from your past relationships. A new person in your life deserves to start with a clean slate.
- Get to Know New People Without Interrogating
After a painful experience of a past relationship, you’re determined to get it right this time. This can create undue pressure on a budding romance. You don’t want to get hurt again, so you might be tempted to put your date through a rigorous line of questioning that feels more like a job interview than a conversation. You can learn a lot from listening and observing as things progress naturally. It takes time to get to know someone, and it’s worth the investment.
- Concentrate on Having Fun
It’s important to remember dating is supposed to be fun. Don’t sap all of the joy out of it by overanalyzing every little thing or by trying to figure out if someone is your right match when you first meet. There’s time to sort all of that out after you know each other better.
- Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back
While it’s natural to have little fear, that emotion is always an obstacle to love. Many things you fear never come to fruition and fear can keep you stuck in a rut. You deserve to find happiness and you’re more likely to find it when you start interacting with all of those fascinating people of the opposite sex.
This is a New Chapter in Your Life, So Take the Leap!
After some initial hesitancy about getting back in the dating scene, you’ll likely find it very rewarding. Take baby steps in the beginning if you need to, and try to avoid bringing your perceived baggage with you like I did. Don’t wait too long to get back out there, though, because the world is full of new people for you to meet. Even though it might feel like it now, your life is not over just because you have been through a divorce.
