Whenever you feel like your heart is ready to try love again. There is no time frame. My cousin (who is also my best friend) just finished her divorce, took about a year, and she says she is ready. I think everyone is different. You might feel less lonely or better about yourself if you went on a date or two. Enjoy yourself, you deserve it. Good luck!

Only you can know the answer to that question. Whenever you feel ready to put yourself out there and let someone in is when it is right. For some that is a long time and for others it isn't.

I think you need to feel ready AND took some time to get to know yourself again. To ensure that you are going to go into the dating world a healthy woman. Also, think about just dating-having fun. Don't go out looking for a LT relationship.

The first steps to dating after divorce are just to practice conversation. The mistake many people make is going out on dates thinking they are going to find the great love of their life right away. Then when they run into the jerks they get discouraged

Just have fun and practice talking and laughing with new people. You don't have to be ready for a relationship to go out on dates.

I was ready after 3 months of my separation.

I was ready pretty much right away... I hadn't been in love with my stbx at all for the last 2 years or so at the end. He left me emotionally and mentally single after a long time.

But I didn't go looking for love. Finally it found me. I am happier now than I've ever been in my life. We have our ups and downs... but we're getting there and someday I will marry this man.

just take it easy and enjoy the ride. I have seen advice both ways- date and not to date. Some of the best advice I saw is to have friends from the opposite gender for at least 6 months after separation. Get out there and have fun. No need to commit to anything that serious. Most say it takes 2 yrs to recoup from divorce, and some strongly think you should not date until 2 yrs after divorce. Hard to say, but enjoy and go with your gut and don't make any hard commitment anytime soon is my vote.

well, a lot people start looking before the last relationship is over, so with that time reference, your late! seriously though, everyone is pretty much spot on here. you need to decide that. a casual hook up might scratch the itch for now, but in time it may bring baggage and guilt that you would have to deal with. and with the rise in STD's, one really needs to get to know and trust someone,before jumping into bed. and besides, you live too far from me!!! lol

Everyone is different...so it might only take a few months or it might take a few years!!! All depends on the person!

Hi there,

Try not to be in a big rush. You were married for 20 years and that is a long time to be with someone. Get used to being alone and feeling comfortable being a single person. Getting to knowing yourself can be very lonely and difficult after being with someone that long but well worth the wait.

When you feel you don't need someone you'll probably meet someone healthy.

I had a few "one dates" before my divorce and they were duds. I was nervous like a school girl but I finally met a man and we have been dating for 6 months now. I can tell you that I got HOOKED from the start and started to get too involved and had to take a step back. He is wonderful BUT we both are not ready to let our walls down just yet. We care about each other deeply and we have a great relationship BUT we both see issues from our past hurts from divorce creep in at times. That is completely normal and you just have to know how to deal with them.
Take it slow, just enjoy the time together and don't encompas your life around a person...still do your own things with your friends, have a life. This kind of relationship is new to me, I was married for 12 years and out of the playing field. We both are divorced and want this to work so we are taking our time, really getting to know each other and hope one day to be life partners.
My advice: relax, go slow and let the relationship build itself. Don't get absorbed in it, just enjoy it and remember you have your own life too!