There are very few things in life that cause as much pain, anguish, and stress as going through a divorce. To say that getting divorced is a life-altering phenomenon would be an understatement. It changes your perception of love, family, companionship, and togetherness.
While going through a divorce is difficult, navigating your way through single life again can be just as much of a struggle (if not more).
On the one hand, you crave the comfort and warmth of having a loving partner around. But witnessing the end of your previous relationship can make it difficult for you to trust and open up to another person. Things become even more complicated when you have kids with your ex-spouse.
But that doesn’t mean you don’t get a second chance at finding love. Just because it didn’t work the first time around doesn’t mean you can’t build a lasting relationship with someone else.
Having said that, dating after a divorce can be tricky. Whether you’ve started feeling the butterflies for someone new or are about to create your online dating profile, it’s important to not rush into your next relationship.
In this blog, we’ve outlined a few important things you should keep in mind before you start dating after your divorce. Let’s take a look.
Make Sure You’re Ready
Loneliness is one of the most prominent feelings that’ll engulf your heart after a divorce. Even if you’ve been married for a few years, you’ve gotten used to having a partner around. Being on your own again can make you feel exceptionally lonely.
The seclusion of single life can make you desperate to fall in love again. Rushing into a new relationship without recovering from the trauma of a divorce could be catastrophic. That’s why it is important to ask yourself the right questions, and understand why you want to start dating.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Have you moved on from your previous relationship?
- Are you willing to trust another person?
- Do you still have unresolved feelings for your ex?
- Are you comfortable with the idea of sharing your fears and insecurities with someone new?
- Are you looking for a long-term commitment or casual fling?
Your answers to these questions will determine whether you’re ready to start dating.
If you do decide that you are ready to start dating, it’s important to take the time to heal and work through the emotions that come with a divorce before diving into a new relationship and approach new relationships with an open mind and a sense of caution. You may even try finding a new partner on online dating apps like WhosHere Plus that offer anonymity, a wide range of potential matches, easy connections with similar interests, and the ability to filter through potential partners. When considering online dating sites, it’s important to consider the safety and legitimacy of the site. Some sites may not have proper security measures in place to protect user information, while others may not have a large enough user base to provide a meaningful dating experience. By searching for phrases like “is Ashley Madison legit” or “Is Bumble safe” and reading reviews from experienced users you can get a good indication of how trustworthy an app is.
Chemistry vs. Connection
The end of a marriage is often marked by a lack of passion and chemistry. It’s only natural that you miss being held and hugged by a loving partner. So, when you start dating again, it’s easy to confuse physical attraction for true love.
While chemistry is important in a romantic relationship, it isn’t enough to make your bond last. If you want to build an enduring relationship with a new partner, you must share a deep emotional connection with them.
If you’ve been seeing someone for a while, you could consider taking an online zodiac sign love compatibility test with them. It could help you understand how well you’re likely to fit with your new partner.
You can as well try to use a zodiac sign compatibility calculator to see your chances with your partner, or you can dive deeper into the characteristics of your partner’s sign. For instance, if your crush is a Scorpio, you can have a look at the Scorpio traits and personality or even draw their birth chart to be more specific. These sign calculators may sometimes get tricky.
Even if you don’t get a high score, you can find the areas that both of you will need to work on to make the relationship last. Your willingness (or lack thereof) to go that extra mile will help you determine how well you’ve connected with your potential partner.
Accept Your Identity
Loneliness and despair aren’t the only emotions that engulf you after a divorce. Don’t be surprised if you’re overwhelmed with a tsunami of feelings that include guilt, shame, self-blame, and self-hatred. Apart from impacting your mental wellbeing, these emotions will also take a toll on any new relationship.
You might be ashamed of disclosing your relationship status to your new partner. Or you may not feel comfortable sharing the details of your divorce with them. Worse still, you could feel guilty for falling in love after your divorce.
That’s why before you get into a new relationship, it’s important to ensure that you’ve accepted your identity as a divorced person. Know that it doesn’t define the person you are. Nor does it make you any less deserving of true love. It’s only when you make peace with your new identity that you’ll be ready for another relationship.
Embrace Your Second Chance
A divorce is more than simply a failed relationship. It marks the end of the life you’d built with your partner and the dreams you wanted to achieve together. But that doesn’t mean you don’t get another shot at a happy relationship.
Instead of rushing into the world of dating, take your time to process your feelings and let go of any negative emotions. Take the plunge only when you feel ready to be vulnerable in front of another person.