Dating after divorce can leave you feeling lost. You might’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a crush on someone and hope they feel the same. On the other hand, maybe you’re unsure of how to deal with turning down someone you have no interest in. There are a lot of potential awkward post-divorce dating situations that can occur. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t handle them…
Awkward Post-Divorce Dating Situations
The “pity” date
Being asked out by someone you have no interest in is one of the more common awkward post-divorce dating situations. In an effort to try and be nice, you might at least give them one “pity” date. However, this might be doing more harm than good…
For the person asking you out, this will just raise their hopes and make them think you’re really interested. You could then end up tangled in a mess that could’ve been avoided. It’s best to kindly, but directly let them know you’re not interested. Having some ways to say this ready beforehand is a good way to avoid feeling pressured or off-guard.
Accept “just friends”
Being turned down by someone you’re interested in is another of the more common awkward post-divorce dating situations. It can already be difficult to tell someone how you feel about them. They might let you know they feel a similar way, which is great! But what if they reveal that they don’t?
When someone says they would want to remain as friends, you’ll have to accept it. Avoid the common pitfall of thinking “if I just do this/change that they’ll like me”. This just shows that dating isn’t on the horizon between you too. Instead, move on and put that time and energy towards someone who might feel that same attraction.
Keep dates low-stakes
It can be hard to figure out where your first date with someone should be. After all, you want to leave a good first impression. Should you go somewhere fancy? Or is that a bit too much for a first date?
It’s a good idea to keep your first dates low-stakes and low-pressure. For example, coffee shops are great places for first dates. You’ll both be able to get a sense of what the other is like in a casual, low-pressure setting. That way, you can see if you want to continue things or not without going all out on a fancy first date.
Dating post-divorce can be awkward, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Follow your intuition and soon your dating will get much more smoother.