Dating after a breakup is difficult. It takes courage to take another chance at victory right after feeling the sting of defeat. But unless you want to live like a real-life Miss Havisham, you’ll need to brush off the cobwebs and jump back on the horse at some point.
So, once you’ve decided to put yourself back out there, what’s next? While modern dating is a minefield at the best of times, it’s especially tricky to navigate when you’re newly single. With this in mind, we’ve written this short guide. Below, you’ll find our best tips on how to date after a breakup.
In this article
Boost your confidence
Maybe you’re already uber-confident. But most people are at the most vulnerable immediately after a breakup. It’s easy to falsely place the blame on yourself rather than consider the fact that some people just aren’t compatible with one another.
For this reason, it’s important to do something that helps you feel like your best self again. Whether that means you get a quick pump at the gym before your date or buy yourself some sexy new red lingerie, finding small ways to boost your confidence can really help you enjoy dating after a breakup.
Take things slowly
While there are some advantages to diving right back in, by doing so you miss a valuable opportunity to connect with yourself.
In the first place, it’s crucial that you check in with yourself and make sure that you’re ready to handle the ups and downs of dating. The last thing that you want is another heartbreak.
You also want to make sure that you’re being fair to others and not getting involved with them when you’re not ready to give them the time and energy they deserve.
But this transition period is also the perfect time to go back to the drawing board. Our next piece of advice explains this in more detail.
Reflect on what you’re looking for
With enough space from your ex-partner, you can look back and reflect on what did and didn’t work for you. Take the time to think over the pros and cons of your previous relationship and use this knowledge to guide you when you finally dip your toes back into the dating pool.
However, many people tend to fixate on their previous relationships. This common mistake leads us to our final tip.
Don’t look for your ex
It can be tempting to measure up your dates against your ex. But this is a habit that you don’t want to build up. It prevents you from giving people a real chance based on who they are and shuts you off from new experiences.
Dating can be difficult when you’ve just been out of a relationship but by following our tips above you’ll find it much easier.
