Life After Divorce: Dating Advice for Women

You fell for him, thinking that your love will last forever. But as fate would have it, he's not "The One."

You're still smarting from the pain and devastation of your divorce. But you have decided that you aren't giving up on love. Not yet.

But it has been several years since you last dated. A lot of things have changed, and you are not sure how to navigate the dating scene.

If you have been divorced, here is some dating advice for women to help you get started in your quest to find new love.

When is the Right Time for a First Date?

First things first: how long should you wait after going through a divorce?

Unfortunately, there is no cookie-cutter answer to this question. What may work for one woman may not for another.

There are, however, a few questions you can ask yourself to ascertain whether you should start dating or remain single at the moment.

To untangle this tricky situation, you need to look at your circumstances. Do you have kids? Did you end things with your former spouse on a good note? Do you or your former partner want to mend things? How long was your marriage? What was the underlying problem of your failed marriage?

Take note that your answers to your questions impact your readiness to get back to dating.

The best time to go out with guys is to feel that things feel right for you and the other party involved.

You might think and feel that you have recovered from your breakup with your former partner, and yet you might not be ready to start a new relationship because of the complications involved. Worse, you might not have fully recovered from the trauma of a breakup.

If there is one dating advice that women should follow after a divorce or breakup, it's that they should go back to dating when they are ready and able to give their potential partners a chance to a loving and committed relationship. You can't do that if you haven't fully healed. No number of dating tips can salvage a relationship that you shouldn't have started in the first place.

Should You Date while you are going through a Divorce?

Your divorce papers are already being processed. Now, the question lingering in your mind is whether you can date while your divorce is still being processed, or should you wait a little bit before playing the dating game.

It might be tempting to recover from a bad heartbreak by meeting new guys and starting a relationship. That's understandable.

However, you might be doing yourself and the new guy a big disservice by starting a new relationship while your divorce is not yet finalized.

Dating a new guy while in the middle of divorce proceedings can prevent you from recovering and healing fully from the devastation of your just-concluded relationship.

Dating and divorce don't mix well because your mind and heart are not in the right place. Trying to do multiple things at the same time can result in half-baked outcomes.

If you do need to connect emotionally with other people, do not start a romantic relationship. Not just yet. Instead, go to the people you trust and love - your friends and family.

Dating Tips for Divorced Women

If you feel that you have recovered from the pain of a failed relationship, here are a few dating tips that can help you get right back on track.

Be Sure that you are ready for a New Relationship

It can never be overstated that you shouldn't start dating a new guy if you are not ready.

That can mean that you have evaluated what was wrong in your previous relationship and being mindful of the need to resolve your personal issues.

It can also mean that you have gone through the grieving process, acknowledging your pain, healing, and making yourself ready, willing, and able to give and receive love.

Seeking professional help can also be beneficial for you and the new guy you are dating. A therapist or counsellor can help you better deal with the flood of emotions you might be still dealing with.

Love Yourself First

As the adage goes, you can't pour from an empty cup.

Before going out with guys, you should put yourself first over everything else. Being ready to date and enter into a new relationship entails being free from doubts and the fear of rejection.

That can also mean protecting yourself from the wrong type of men who are preying on divorced women. Although you may feel ready for a new relationship, you might still be vulnerable. And there is no shortage of men preying on women like you. 

Be Upfront with your New Man

When you are ready to put yourself in a committed relationship with a new guy, be upfront and honest about your circumstances. It's only fair for your new man to know your past relationship and your current mindset.

It would also be helpful to your new partner to know your emotions, especially what you need at this moment, as well as your fear.

Consider Online Dating

Dating can be hard for single men and women. It can be doubly hard for divorced women to meet new guys.

As such, you should not scoff at using dating apps and websites.

Dating is just like finding a new job - you have to set aside time and effort to find and meet new guys.

Create an online dating profile and make time to check out potential dating partners regularly. More importantly, consider going out to meet guys who may be outside your type. You'll be surprised with what you may have been missing out on. In choosing the right dating app or website, consider your preferences and goals. Some platforms cater to specific demographics or interests, while others have a broader user base. There are niche dating apps catering to LGBTQ+ community or sites for single parents seeking support, understanding, and potential partners who are also raising children. Online For Love's toplist of BBW dating sites could be particularly useful if you identify as a plus-size woman and wish to connect with partners who appreciate and celebrate your body positivity. So make sure to take the time to explore different platforms and choose the one that aligns best with your interests and relationship goals. 

Trust the Process

Finding your ideal match out of several guys can be a tedious process.

However, there is no surefire way to know whether you have found The One or if you have to date other men.

Be patient and trust the process. Nothing good comes when you try to rush things out.

Giving Love Another Try

Whether you've been married for a few years or decades, finding yourself in the aftermath of a divorce can leave you emotionally and psychologically bruised. That doesn't mean that you do not deserve a loving and lasting relationship.

When you feel that you are ready to give love another chance, some men are willing to show you that you are worthy.