Given that 50% of all marriages in the U.S. currently end in divorce according to the CDC, the question begs: how do you get back in the swing of things after divorce?  Dating is a foreign world to many who have been in long-term marriages and perhaps raised children who have now gone off to college. Times have changed and quite frankly, so have you. Don’t fret about learning how to move and shake again – with a few simple tips, you’ll be well on the road to being you as you meet someone new!

After Divorce Dating Tip #1: Dress to Impress Yourself
Look in your closet and tell me what you see. I’ll be that you’re the one who bought most of the clothes hanging in there. If not, go grab your favorite shirt and pair of pants for me. If you’re a gal, grab your favorite top and bottom. Put them on the bed and step back. Have a look at them and ask, “Why do I like these things?” If you can’t come up with a reason other than you like how you feel when you wear them, BINGO! That’s the right date outfit. Your date is going to move past your clothes in the first 10 minutes, so you might as well feel great while you sit there as they get interested in YOU instead of what you’re wearing!

After Divorce Dating Tip #2: Understand History, Don’t Repeat It
Just because your marriage or your date’s marriage didn’t work doesn’t mean you’re destined for repeated demise. Life happens. We can either learn from it or we can doom ourselves to make the same mistakes over and over again. Sometimes it’s hard when you begin dating again after a divorce to realize that this new person isn’t out to ruin your life. Learn from your mistakes, hope your date has learned from theirs and place yourself in a position to mutually earn and give trust. That’s when you’ll see red flags (and decide to lower them, too)!

After Divorce Dating Tip #3: Love YOU First
You’re emerging from a tumultuous time in your life. It’s possible the person sitting across from you is as well. The most important person in any relationship you’ll begin from here on out it you. Maybe you have kids and they’ll be a major consideration as well. But understand that you should never give up the beautiful person that is you while you look for someone with which to share yourself. A successful relationship is not only based on trust – it’s based on a mutual respect for each person in the relationship and the things (good AND bad) they bring to the table.