Embracing the freedom and independence that accompanies being newly single can come in stages. In the end, it is about enjoying your life, not letting fear control you, and exploring the freedom associated with being able to do what you want, when you want and how you want. The same principle applies to dating after divorce or widowhood. You decide when, how and what. Whereas we all know that relationships are work, dating is about having fun and exploring. It is an opportunity to meet new people and to do new things, if you like.

You should begin to date when you decide it is time to date. Going through a divorce or losing a loved one is an emotionally wrenching and everyone handles the grieving process differently. There is no such thing as a “right time” to begin dating again – it is different for each individual. It is important to take the time to rediscover yourself and what brings your joy before before beginning to date again.

At lipstickwisdom.com, we have gathered some of the best videos we could find that help you get back in the dating scene when the time is right for you. One video features Marie, a 49 successful businesswoman, who shares how she successfully reentered the dating world after her marriage of 15 years ended. Dr. Pepper Schwartz, a Professor of Sociology and the Chief Relationship Expert for PerfectMatch.com, shares her personal story of dating after divorce and introduces her book, “Prime: Adventures and Advice on Sex, Love, and the Sensual Years” in another video. Other videos feature experts such as Dr. Laura Berman and author Rachel Greenwald who offer proactive ways to develop a satisfying dating aspect to your life.

In the end, dating after divorce or widowhood is like any other life event – it is about embracing the challenge and having fun!! Come check out the information we have gathered at lipstickwisdom.com and if you have advice to share on dating after divorce or widowhood, please share them with us!

Marie, a 49-year-old successful businesswoman and mother of 2, shares her feelings on dating and life after divorce.

Part of a continuing series of video vignettes with stories designed to inspire and help women transitioning through any phase of divorce to share and connect with one another. Also available at www.firstwivesworld.com.

Here is Marie’s first video where she shares her story and struggles to have a civilized divorce.

Can you still find pleasure and a partner at an older age? A sex expert, Dr. Pepper Schwartz, tells her personal story to NBC’s Hoda Kotb and talks about her book “Prime: Adventures and Advice on Sex, Love, and the Sensual Years.”

The Today Show
June 27, 2007

TODAY Show
updated 4:01 p.m. ET, Tues., June. 26, 2007

Whether you’re looking to wake-up a tired sex life, start a new relationship, explore cyber-dating, indulge in a four-hand massage, flirt with gigolos on vacation, or commit to the love of your life, you can find tempting tips and genuinely helpful guidance in, “Prime: Adventures and Advice on Sex, Love, and the Sensual Years,” by Dr. Pepper Schwartz. Here’s an excerpt:

How Did I Get Here?

Asking questions
Dear Dr. Pepper: I am a single woman, divorced after 23 years of marriage, with my kids off to college. Ideally, I would like to have a serious relationship, but if that isn’t around the corner, I still want sex and companionship. I find myself in a world of chat-room hookups, cybermatchmaking, and coconut-flavored glow-in-the-dark condoms. I feel as sexually alive as I did when I was 25, but the number and availability of men for me has changed. How do I look for a life partner and enjoy sexual adventures along the way? Oh, yes, and did I mention that I really enjoy sex? Advice, please. Sincerely, A Single Sexologist in Seattle

After three decades of answering people’s questions about their emotional, sexual, and romantic lives, after writing numerous books on sex and relationships, after thirty-five years as a professor of sociology at the University of Washington, you would think I could come up with an easy answer to my own question. The situation was at least humorous and in no small part ironic. I had plenty of good advice for women in my situation based on solid scientific research. But I had not always followed what I knew to be the best course since my own divorce. Still, I am five years older than when I left my husband, and I think a wiser person than the woman who reentered the singles scene after almost a quarter of a century as a married woman.
Read the rest of this entry »

Jen, experienced in divorce, discusses the process of getting back into the dating scene following your separation. Learn how to get over your divorce and reclaim your life.

An honest and hysterical look at dating after divorce.

Ralph is 38 and single again. So what now? Ralph shares his thoughts and feelings on being single again and wanting to find somebody to spend time with.

Suddenly single again? Dr. Laura Berman tells TODAY’s Hoda Kotb how to get back into the game and find love again.

The Today Show
December 11 2007

By Dr. Laura Berman
TODAYShow.com contributor
updated 11:44 a.m. ET, Tues., Dec. 11, 2007

Dr. Laura Berman

Dating is often a risky and adrenaline-pumping adventure, but when you date after divorce, hearts aren’t the only commodities on the line. Between kids, potential step-relations, money issues and exes, dating after divorce can be a tricky and stressful undertaking.

Rather than delve into this stress, many divorcees choose to isolate themselves from dating and romance. Indeed, a recent study found that 55% of divorced women reported having “zero” sexual encounters per month, 22% said they were “lucky” to have sex 1-3 times a month and 13% reported having sex 3-6 times per month.
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Feb. 15 2007: The author of “Find a Husband After 35,” Rachel Greenwald, talks to “Today” host Katie Couric about starting to date when you are over 50.

Relationships aren’t only for the young
Finding a mate after 50 can be achieved by taking on a few easy tasks, says author Rachel Greenwald
TODAY Show
updated 8:10 a.m. ET, Fri., Feb. 2, 2007

Dating can be intimidating at any age, let alone after 50. Although it may seem like a tremendous challenge, by making a few changes in to your life and being proactive, going out may become easier than you could imagine. Rachel Greenwald, author of “Find a Husband After 35 Using What I Learned at Harvard Business School,” was invited on “Today” to share her five top tips for singles over 50.

In my experience, women and men over 50 can be successful in finding the right mate (either for the first time or the third) if you think about dating the same way you think about other challenges in your life. You need a strategic plan — just like a plan you would use for accomplishing any other goal in your life (a work project, weight loss, or finding a new job).
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What are some tips for dating after divorce?

When it comes to dating after divorce, it’s really important that you have gone through your anger, resentment, and all your wounds before you date, because otherwise you’re going to end up on dates where you find yourself talking about your ex, and custody. It’s the most major dating no-no. It’s really important to give yourself some time to heal before you dip your toe in the dating water.

Single Parenting: What are some tips for dating after divorce?

Today on Relationship Chatter, Professional Matchmaker, Samantha Daniels talks about how to date after a divorce. It’s hard to get back out there and date again after a divorce especially if your divorce was public, hurtful or humiliating like was the case with Christie Brinkley. However, you need to get out there and date again so that you can move on from the pain and feelings of betrayal to a positive, happier time. Watch Relationship Chatter and let Samantha Daniels give you some advice on how to move on in the right way after your divorce or breakup.

August 19, 2008