Stepping back into dating after a separation can feel like a big leap—maybe a little exciting, maybe a bit nerve-wracking. You might be wondering, “How long after divorce to date?” or “How do I even start dating after divorce?” At Rebuilders International, we’ve helped tons of people rediscover the joy of dating after divorce, and we’re here to help you too. This page is all about easing you into post divorce dating, answering questions like how soon to date after divorce and sharing practical tips for dating after divorce. Let’s dive into this new chapter with a fresh perspective, so you can find love again on your terms.
A big question people often ask is, “How long after separation can you date?” or “How long to wait to date after divorce?” Honestly, there’s no magic number—it’s all about how you feel. If your heart’s still heavy from the breakup, you might need a bit more time to heal. Some folks feel ready in a few months, while others take a year or more. At Rebuilders, we suggest asking yourself: Are you genuinely excited to meet someone new, or does the idea feel like a chore? If it feels forced, it might be worth waiting a little longer.
Another way to think about how long after divorce to start dating is to check in with your emotions. Many in our community say they felt ready when they could think about their ex without feeling overwhelmed—and when they started feeling curious about new connections. Not sure where you stand? Our Virtual (Zoom) Classes—starting every 2-3 weeks—are a great place to connect with others and figure out if you’re ready.
Want to rebuild every part of your life after divorce? Check out our main page, Post-Divorce Life: A Complete Guide, for a full roadmap to thriving.
When it comes to how to start dating after divorce, it all starts with feeling good about yourself. After a separation, you might feel a little unsure about putting yourself out there. Focus on what makes you awesome—your sense of humor, your passions, or even your quirky habits. Rebuilders loves suggesting small confidence boosters, like trying a new look or picking up a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. You don’t have to be perfect to date; you just have to be you.
Wondering how soon to start dating after divorce or how soon is too soon to date after divorce? There’s no rush, and you get to decide what feels right. Some people dive in after a few months, while others wait longer. If friends or family are pushing you to date before you’re ready, it’s okay to say, “I need more time.” Rebuilders is all about supporting you at your own pace—our Self-Paced eCourse lets you explore this topic whenever you’re ready.
Before jumping into dating after separation, take a moment to think about what you want. Are you looking for something casual, or are you hoping for a deeper connection? Knowing this can help you feel more in control. Grab a notebook and jot down a few things you’d love in a partner—maybe someone who’s kind, funny, or shares your love for hiking. Having clarity can make your first date after divorce feel a lot less stressful.
If you’re wondering, “How do you meet someone after divorce?”—don’t worry, there are lots of ways! Start with what feels easy for you. Maybe that’s joining a local group, signing up for a dating app, or asking a friend to set you up. Rebuilders’ New Friends Divorce Support Hub (free to join) is a great spot to meet people in a relaxed way, and you never know who you might click with.
Your first date after divorce doesn’t need to be a big production. Keep it simple—a coffee date or a quick walk somewhere nice can be perfect. Be upfront about your situation; most people appreciate honesty. A tip from our community: Share a little about your post divorce dating experience to break the ice. If the date doesn’t go as planned, no big deal—it’s all part of the process.
Let’s talk about some dating advice after divorce for those awkward situations. What if your date asks about your ex? You can keep it light: “That’s behind me, and I’m excited to be here with you.” If you’re nervous about how to date after divorce, try practicing a few conversation ideas beforehand. Rebuilders’ Every Tuesday Night Support Group ($47/year) is a great place to share your worries and get feedback from others who’ve been there.
When it comes to how long after divorce to date, it really depends on you. Some people wait six months, others a year—it’s all about your healing process. If you’re co-parenting or dealing with legal stuff, you might want to wait until things settle down. Rebuilders’ experts can help you figure out your timeline through Private Coaching (1:1 with a divorce coach).
If you’re wondering how soon to date after divorce and it feels overwhelming, that’s a sign to slow down. Take our free Emotional Survey to get a sense of where you’re at emotionally—it’ll help you decide if you’re ready or need more time.
Rejection can sting, especially in dating after separation. But don’t let it get you down—it’s often more about the other person than you. See it as a chance to learn and keep going. Our community loves sharing stories, and you can too in our support groups.
At Rebuilders International, we’re here to make dating after divorce a positive experience. We offer:
Personalized Support: One-on-one Private Coaching to help you feel confident.
A Supportive Community: Groups to connect with others, like our In-Person (Local) Classes starting every three months.
Practical Resources: Tools like our Rebuilders Workbook ($14.99) with dating tips.
We’ve helped so many people find love and happiness again through post divorce dating, and we’re here for you too.
Dating after separation is a chance to rediscover yourself and open your heart to new possibilities. Whether you’re figuring out how to begin dating after divorce or getting ready for your first date after divorce, Rebuilders has your back with real tips for dating after divorce. Take it one step at a time, and let us help you along the way.
Ready to find love again? Take our free Emotional Survey to get a roadmap for your dating journey, or join our Virtual (Zoom) Classes to connect with others. Let’s write your post divorce dating story together.
Welcome to the #1 most comprehensive divorce recovery program in the world.
Below you’ll see that the Rebuilders International system really works, why it is unique, and what we do. We will let this information stand for itself! And yes, of course results will vary but with only a few hours a week you can have a life changing experience.
40 Years Of Changing People's Lives.
The founder of the Rebuilders program was Dr. Bruce Fisher (1931-1998). He was born in Iowa but spent most of his adult life in Boulder, Colorado. He was a popular divorce therapist, author, teach and a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. As he worked with clients dealing with divorce he realized that traditional therapy didn’t work efficiently.
He began working with his clients in groups and eventually found that there are 19 “steps” that people must work through to effectively “Rebuild” their lives. From this work he wrote the book “Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends.” We still use this book as a reference in our classes. Since he wrote the book over 30 years ago we have learned a lot and the program has evolved considerably. Now we find that there are more “steps” and that there are some elements that Dr. Fisher wasn’t aware of or misunderstood. However, he still created a powerful foundation for the program that we run today.
"I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to have taken this journey with you and the class. It’s been very mind blowing and a real eye opener. It changed my life."
Your thinking, mindset, beliefs, and values all influence how you respond to the traumatic experience of divorce. We show you how to step outside of the rumination about the past. Learn to step outside of the normal traps that keep people stuck thinking about the past.
Many people suppress, depress, or repress their feelings. Divorce brings so many “difficult” feelings. We give you tools to work through them, use them, and feel the “good” feelings again -like HAPPINESS, JOY, AND LOVE.
In marriages people “lose” themselves. When the marriage ends they don’t know who they are as a single person. We help you connect with yourself so that you can be comfortable being alone in your own skin.
It is a very difficult time in your life when you are facing the possibility of divorce. We offer a wide variety of tools, information and personal coaching to help you.
When you are dealing with divorce there is a lot going on. There are legal issues, financial issues, emotional issues, parenting issues and more. When faced with all of these pressures we see that people that pay attention to the emotional effect of divorce are better able to navigate everything else much better.
Whether you are recently divorced or it has been years, the wounds from divorce are real. Time does not heal all wounds, it just scabs over them. So if you are ready to learn more about what you can do to HEAL then click below.
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