Dating after divorce is a much debated topic due to the psychological and emotional impact it can have on people. Dating after divorce can be complex, too often divorcees don't consider the ramifications of dating after divorce before they jump into it with both feet!
If you're going to start dating again after you've gotten a divorce, there's quite few things that you should consider beforehand...here's a partial list you might want to think about:
Dating after divorce consideration 1: Make sure that you are aware of your own level of self-confidence.
If are considering dating after divorce, be certain that you are either confident in yourself as a person or are at least aware of your level of self-confidence so you can plan accordingly. Self-confidence will help you to remain lucid when you're dating after divorce. Choosing who to date and why you want to date them can be a major turning point in your emotional health after a divorce. If you're self-confident, chances are good that you'll be able to handle being rejected or ignored if you're just beginning a relationship.
If you're truly self-confident, you'll be able to have the right mind set before you begin dating after divorce and any potential let down will be foreseen by you and "non-damaging" to your emotional state. Self confidence is perhaps the most important thing to think about from an emotional health perspective regarding dating after divorce.
Dating after divorce consideration 2: How quickly should you date after getting a divorce?
Fortunately, this is really only a question that you can answer, assuming your divorce is truly over with and you don't have a custody battle that's ongoing, a dispute about assets or finances, or any other type of lingering agreement that needs to be reached that could be impaired by dating. If you have children, this is a question of their strength and the strength of your relationship with them.
If you don't have children, this decision is entirely up to you regarding how you'll approach dating after divorce. Ask yourself how ready you really are to date again...depending on what you want out of dating after divorce, i.e., what the end result is to any solid dating relationship, will drive how quickly you date again. If you're simply lonely and think you need to date again just for the sake of dating or to test how you'll respond to dating, you may want to do a serious self evaluation regarding your confidence level. You will know when you're ready again to begin dating after divorce - everyone's different. Know yourself first, then make the decision.
Dating after divorce consideration 3: Should I date while going through a divorce?
Most coaches, attorneys, and counselors will tell you that dating while going through a divorce is never a good thing to do from a psychological perspective and a legal perspective. While this article isn't a form of legal advice, common sense tells you that if you're in any type of battle regarding marital assets or custody, avoid any dating.
From an emotional health perspective, dating while going through a divorce can be damaging to you and your "soon to be" ex-spouse. You'll be much more mature after the divorce if you self evaluate to figure out how you contributed to the events that lead to your divorce. Handling yourself in a caring and sturdy emotional manner during a divorce can be an extremely difficult thing to do...but, it is a terrific growing and learning process. Make use of it! Grow as a person and learn about yourself, and you'll be far better off after the divorce is final.
Dating after divorce consideration 4: Consider that you may have a tendency to date someone completely opposite from your spouse and realize that this isn't healthy.
Dating after divorce is tricky! Be smart, realize that the pain you may have felt at the hands of your spouse can naturally lead you to want to date someone who is an opposite of your ex. It is a reasonable and natural reaction because you might want to avoid having any pain whatsoever or you may not want to deal with anyone who might remind you of your ex-spouse.
If you find yourself looking for someone who is your ex's opposite when dating after divorce, take a deep breath and ask yourself if this tactic is truly healthy for you. If you answer 'yes', then you're saying that there was nothing good about your spouse and that you're a poor decision maker or else you would have never gotten married to your ex in the first place!
Instead, think of the things you'd like to see in someone that would make you want to date them and look at the person in and of themselves only. If you see something in them that reminds you of your ex-spouse, decide whether that something is a good trait or an undesirable trait. Only then can you decide about that person in positive fashion. Your spouse has or had some good traits, define what they are and don't be afraid to see those traits in someone that you are dating after divorce.
Dating after divorce consideration 5: Do what you need to in order to have a positive outlook on your future after your divorce.
When thinking about dating after divorce, and all the possible fires that can go with it, keep in mind that you need to feel good about yourself to be lucid. A positive outlook on life is key to everything else, and all the future decisions that you will make after your divorce. Go and do fun things with friends and get out! You should certainly keep your guard up but don't be overly critical of everything or you may get so paralyzed be your analysis that you never actually "get in the game." Your frame of mind on any relationship - friend or not - after divorce is key factor to your happiness. Keeping a clear head and heart is a healthy thing. If you keep these considerations in mind, you'll have a much better time when dating after divorce.
© Karl Augustine, 2005
"A Practical Guide To Deciding Whether Or Not To Get A Divorce"
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Sometimes we need a hiatus from dating. A "hiatus" is... Read More
Each and every woman is an actress in their own... Read More
"I'll call you this week". "Yes, I'd love to see... Read More
It sounds like something out of a fairy tale. She's... Read More
You are on the first date with a girl you... Read More
1. First, put yourself in the opposite position: If YOU... Read More
Creating your online dating profile is an aspect often commonly... Read More
Are you dating or in a serious relationship? Did you... Read More
Have you been only dating people from your own ethnic... Read More
Does the waiter know how you like your steak, and... Read More
So, you've decided to join a dating website. You're hoping... Read More
So you have scored the date, she has agreed to... Read More
When you think about the qualities found in a true... Read More
Harsh words, hurting comments, tears and flying household objects -... Read More
Dating, there are many thoughts that word brings about. Many... Read More
So, you're convinced that you have zero opportunities to meet... Read More
Whether you have been dating for years, getting back in... Read More
Being an expat in a foreign country where you don't... Read More
In my attempts to find the love of my life,... Read More
As you're surfing the Internet and coming across titles claiming... Read More
Most pick-up lines don't work because they are trite, cheesy,... Read More
Valentine's Day was initially an outgrowth of an ancient Roman... Read More
In this day and age, many find it hard to... Read More
1. Tattoos.Tattoos used to be the colouring of soldiers, sailors,... Read More
How often do your married friends complain about husbands who... Read More
Research shows that people who put each other down and... Read More
Let's face it...some women can be ruthless. There are certain... Read More
Dear Soulmate,Where are you?? It seems as if I have... Read More
Meet Other Singles by Doing Something You LoveHere's one the... Read More
Dating online can be great fun, stimulating and exciting. So... Read More
It's unbelievable how many guys have this problem!I mean, you... Read More
Kiki sat on the park bench, staring ruefully at the... Read More
You are on your way to your first date with... Read More
Did you know that experts say the way people treat... Read More
Okay, so you wanted to know what your boyfriend or... Read More
Dating is a daunting prospect, especially for those who've been... Read More
Personal values is an important point when it comes to... Read More
I don't know if the craze of SMS has caught... Read More
The following no-nonsense list was compiled from interviews with long-time... Read More
1) Give yourself time to get back into the groove... Read More
Something I find 100% humor in is the fact that... Read More
In my attempts to find the love of my life,... Read More
When you think about the qualities found in a true... Read More
There are so many dating sites out there, hundreds if... Read More
These are words women don't want to hear when they're... Read More
Familiar with the economics theory of scarcity ? Here's a... Read More
As a Christian, you understand that to visit bars, nightclubs,... Read More
It's one of the supreme tragedies in life. When there's... Read More
It's unbelievable how many guys have this problem!I mean, you... Read More
Remember Jerry Hall, the model who married Mick Jagger? Jerry... Read More
Dating at first is fun but as it goes on... Read More
Google: (GOO.gul) v. To use an Internet search engine such... Read More
In this day and age, many find it hard to... Read More
Have you seen a dating site? Would you want to... Read More
You get her number, set up the date, take her... Read More
Just about every dating site-even those with minimal profiles-have space... Read More
Well, if you didn't give that someone a bad impression... Read More
Are you writing to someone who is romancing you off... Read More
So, you've decided to take the plunge and follow in... Read More
Overwhelmed with family, school, work and volunteer obligations, woman are... Read More
Watch Brad Pitt, George Clooney, or any other man with... Read More
Many of my clients that I coach are single and... Read More
So, you're looking to meet that "special someone". You have... Read More
The fact is, most people think they handle objections with... Read More
Are you dating or in a serious relationship? Did you... Read More
Admit it. You snickered, rolled your eyes and laughed out... Read More
Dating |