When you feel ready to date

3 min read

There is no exact date. A few signs help: you can spend an evening alone without panic, you think of your ex with less charge, you are curious about a new person as themselves, and not as a replacement.

If you are unsure, check your reason. “I want to meet someone interesting” is a good reason. “I want to feel something other than this” is understandable, but it may be better met by friends, movement and time.

Go slowly. Tell yourself you are only getting to know someone. Keep your own routines. Notice how your body feels around them: safe, calm and curious, or anxious and hooked.

And if you find yourself comparing everyone to your ex, it may be worth waiting a little longer.