10 Must-Know Tips for Dating Again After a Breakup

Splitting from someone you love is never fun. And after healing from the heartbreak, you have to face a new challenge: Dating again after a breakup. Now, dating is nerve-wracking enough on its own, but reentering the dating scene is a whole new beast. Trying to pick up body language cues and spot green flags or red flags can be a lot, to say the least.

That said, although getting back in the game can be scary, putting yourself back out there shouldn’t be shied away from. After all, there’s someone for everyone, and everyone deserves their happy ending.

Allow me to introduce you to the 10 must-know tips for dating post-breakup. If you’re newly single and on the prowl, these rules will help you reenter the dating world with success. Keep scrolling to learn the 10 must-know tips for dating again after a breakup.

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10 Tips for Dating Again After a Breakup:

1. Take some time alone

Whoever said the only way to get over someone else was to get under someone else probably never healed from any heartbreak. Taking time alone after a breakup is crucial. You’ll never be able to truly move on and find love if you haven’t fully healed. So, give yourself time to grieve before jumping back onto the dating scene. It might be difficult, but leaning on your friends and family for comfort instead of a new lover will help you in the long-run.

2. Get reacquainted with yourself

The most important relationship you have is with yourself. And one of the upsides to being single means having the chance to get reacquainted with yourself again. Use this time alone to fall back in love with yourself and get to know who you really are. Try new things, pick up old hobbies, pamper yourself regularly, and so on.

Additionally, this also opens you up to major self-growth. You’ll be able to learn more about who you are and what makes you happy, and become comfortable and content being on your own.

3. Get out and about

Just because you’re spending time alone doesn’t mean you need to shut yourself off from the outside world completely. In fact, getting out and about post-breakup is a good thing! Staying inside will only make it harder to get back out into the world when it’s time to start dating again. You’re still entitled to go out and enjoy yourself; you’re allowed to go to a bar or out to eat with your best friends. Be mindful of how much time you’re spending indoors, and make it a priority to get out and about.

4. Get clear on what you want

Before you start dating again, it’s a good idea to do some reflection. Think about your previous relationship and what you learned; figure out what you want in a partner. Getting clear on what you’re looking for and understanding your wants and needs beforehand will make finding the right person much easier.

That said, this doesn’t mean you should be too picky—that will only hinder you. Rather, this means simply knowing what’s non-negotiable for you in a relationship; whether it’s long-term goals that align with yours, stance on kids and marriage, and so on. Knowing what you want out of a partner and relationship will help prevent you from wasting your time and someone else’s.

5. Ease back into the dating world

Going from 0-100 can be overwhelming and leave a bad taste in your mouth about dating in general. So, give yourself permission to ease back into the dating world and take things slow. Doing this will allow you to get used to dating again and help make your experiences more enjoyable. And if you find yourself experiencing those notorious first date jitters, use these hacks to calm your nerves.

6. Don’t compare them to your ex

It’s hard to not compare potential partners to your ex, but it’s crucial that you try to avoid doing so. Everyone is different, and depending on what your last relationship was like, future partners may seem like a total upgrade or downgrade.

For example, if your previous relationship was toxic, every new person you meet will feel like a step up. Likewise, if you believed your ex was your soul mate, future partners might never measure up in your eyes if you’re constantly comparing.

Comparing new dates to your ex is going to blind you and make it more difficult for you to clearly see what’s in front of you. However, that said, if you’re having a hard time not doing this, that might be a sign that you need more time to heal—and that’s OK! Remember: There’s no set timeframe for healing heartbreak.

7. Don’t discuss your previous relationship during the date

The past shapes our present, but there’s a time and place to talk about it. And talking about your ex or the breakup on a first date is a big no-no. Someone might take this as a sign that you haven’t fully moved on or ready for the next chapter. So, refrain from topics of past relationships until things start to get more serious.

8. Go in with realistic expectations

No one knows what the future holds or where they’ll find their forever love and get their happily ever after, but the best thing you can do for yourself is go into each date with realistic expectations, and keeping an open mind is the best way to do this. Let go of any preconceived notions or judgments ahead of time, and try to think of every dating experience as a learning opportunity. At the very least, you’ll have an interesting story to tell in years to come.

9. Be your authentic self

Trying to change yourself is never a good idea and only hurts you. Be true to yourself and let your personality shine on all your dates. Everyone resonates with authenticity and genuine energy, and the right person will love you for exactly who you are. The truer you are to yourself, the more open you’ll be to the universe sending the right person your way.

10. Go in with a positive mindset

Viewing the world with a negative mindset will only reflect negativity back at you, make you closed off, and make it harder for new things to enter your life—none of which will set you up for a positive dating experience. So, set yourself up for success and reenter the dating world with a positive mindset. This will help you navigate the scene more successfully, and make it easier to receive what’s meant for you.

In addition, it’s also important to remember that at the end of the day, first dates are just that—first dates! Try not to make them a bigger deal than they need to be, and give yourself permission to have fun and see what happens. When it comes down to it, whatever’s meant to be will be.