When to start dating after the death of a spouse

Dating After the Loss of a Spouse

The thought of being in a new relationship after the death of a spouse can be frightening and overwhelming. But after widowhood, a new relationship may be something that you consider. You may feel guilty even thinking about it, or you may worry about the effects of it on your children. There are also the reactions of other people that you may have to contend with. Considering another intimate relationship requires courage and involves a tumult of emotions and uncertainties. In this article, we delve into the whens, whys, and whats of dating after widowhood. Burden of Grief. Fear of Judgment. Dealing With the Judgment of Others.

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Last Updated: February 22, Fact Checked. Rebecca Tenzer is the owner and head clinician at Astute Counseling Services, a private counseling practice in Chicago, Illinois. With over 18 years of clinical and educational experience in the field of mental health, Rebecca specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, panic, trauma, grief, interpersonal relationships using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and other evidence-based practices. Rebecca has served as a member of the AmeriCorps and is also a Professor of Psychology at the collegiate level.

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Coping with the death of a spouse can be incredibly challenging for a number of reasons. The changes that occur in life after losing a loved one to death are often drastic. It can be a confusing and difficult process to learn to live without the person you agreed to spend the rest of your life with. Often, when we talk about loss, we focus on the initial stages one goes through after death. But what happens after those initial stages, as you try to rebuild your life and move forward? As you approach this new place in life, you might wonder: Is it too soon?

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Dating After Being Widowed: A Guide

But why the strong reaction? Does it a feel like a sense of betrayal to the deceased? Is just the thought of having to start over, to put ourselves out there just too overwhelming or too exhausting? Is it that the endeavor seems worthless as there will simply never EVER be someone as perfect for us as the partner we lost? And is it fair that a griever has to cope with this tremendous grief while also answering questions from family and friends about whether they plan to date again?

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