Love After Divorce: Yes, It’s Possible (Take It From Me)
Let’s talk about something raw, real, and wildly misunderstood: dating after divorce.
If this is you right now, let me say something up front as someone who has been through it: I get it. That first step back into the world of dating? It’s not just awkward. It can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff, wondering if you’ve forgotten how to fly. But, dating after divorce isn’t about going backward. It’s about moving forward—wiser, braver, and more intentional. According to Pew Research, almost 1 in 3 newlyweds today have been married before. That’s millions of people just like you: seasoned by experience, ready for something deeper.
Let’s Bust the Myths (For Good)
There are so many fears swirling around dating after divorce. Let’s talk about them and why they don’t get to run the show.
🔹 “Is it too soon?” There’s no magic number of months or years. The real question is: Are you healing or hiding? If you're using dating to avoid pain, take a step back. If you're ready to connect with curiosity and confidence, you're probably more ready than you think.
🔹 “What will my kids think?” Kids are intuitive. If they see you in a relationship that brings peace and happiness, they often feel safer and more hopeful about love themselves. Tip: Be honest in age-appropriate ways and reassure them that they still come first in your heart.
🔹 “My family might not approve.” This one’s tough. But your life isn’t a group project. Loved ones can be protective, but they don’t get to decide your happiness. Give them time, space, and your truth—but live for you.
🔹 “I’ve failed at love.” No, you haven’t. Divorce isn't failure—it’s feedback. It's proof that you're willing to try, to grow, and to walk away from something that no longer fits. That’s strength, not shame.
🔹 “Dating apps are awful, and I’m too old for this.” Let’s be honest—dating apps can be weird. But they’re also full of real people looking for real connections. The secret? Know what you want, set boundaries, and don’t let technology make you forget your worth.
Tips for Getting Back Out There
When you're ready to dip a toe (or a heart) back in, keep these in mind:
Heal first, date second. Therapy, journaling, reflection—do what you need to get clear on what you want now, not just what you don’t want.
Lead with your truth. Be honest about your relationship goals. You're not 22—you don’t have time for games.
Let go of perfection. Everyone has a past. What matters is how someone shows up today.
Take the pressure off. Not every date has to lead to a love story. Some are just stepping stones back to yourself.
From My Heart to Yours: You’re Not Alone (And You’re Not Done)
If you’re scared....good!! That means this matters.
I’ve been through a divorce. I’ve questioned if love was still in the cards for me and have sat with the guilt, the grief, the fear of screwing it all up again. Still, I opened my heart, and I am certain that you can too. You’re not broken. You’re becoming. And what’s ahead for you? It’s not a repeat—it’s a rewrite.
You’ve lived, you’ve learned, and now you get to love from a place of truth, not fantasy. A place where you know what matters, what’s worth fighting for, and what it feels like to choose yourself first.
So don’t count yourself out.
The next chapter isn’t about fixing the past. It’s about finally meeting someone who sees the whole of you and chooses you. But first? You’ve got to choose you. You, my friend, have got this 💌