When did you start dating after separating?

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As the title says I’m interested to know when people started dating after separating. I separated 3 months ago after a 14 year marriage. The marriage itself wasn’t physical for a couple of years as it was lacking any emotional intimacy on both sides. In my mind it’s been dead for years and I do want to start dating soon because life’s too short etc and I feel no need to grieve etc. we have no kids and it’s completely amicable. Ex has started dating but my friends are horrified by this however I also want to start dating! What did others do? Interested to hear different perspectives!

brilliant!

Pretty quickly but then was horrified to be in the company of men I didn't know and who weren't my ex and I backed out immediately. Then took up with an old flame but that fizzled out and I'm resolutely single now.

About 3 years. Still single 5 years on

Never.
Been separated 3 years, never want to be with a man ever again😅

With what sounds an amicable break up, a couple of years without intimacy, and having no kids, I'd be back dating immediately. Life's too short. If it's what you want to do, just do it. Nothing making you get serious with anyone, which is what I'd advise against so soon after any break up, but no harm in getting out there, kissing a few frogs inevitably, maybe find a prince or two. Being serious/exclusive can come later but in the meantime, fill your boots.

Separated 2016. Honestly was not remotely interested for a long time, then lack of self confidence and life happened.

I actually began having some online flirtations during Covid lockdowns so from late summer/autumn 2020 if that counts.

Went on handful of dates in 2021/22 and met my current FWB/situationship in August '22 by complete fluke. We got chatting on a non-dating website and it turned out he was local.

I've never seriously dated and am quite happy with where I'm at.

XH was on the case in a matter of week and met his partner within about a month of me asking for a divorce!

Honestly do what you like, it's no-one else's business.

After a 20yr marriage, about 7mths, although we’d been separate rooms/discussing for 9mths before that and in all honesty, the thought of wanting to be with someone different and actual feel something for someone had been around a while longer than that, which was a big sign for me things were going wrong.

Met someone and it has become fairly serious now after nine months made up of chatting to dating…wasn’t looking for that but it feels right and we’re enjoying dating and spending time together. If we’ve rushed into it and it falls apart then so be it…with mostly grown up children and no actual ties to each other it wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it’s nice to be in such a different relationship.

After a 10 year relationship i went on the dating sites about a year later...
But i dont think there is any right time to wait
Go dip your toe and see how you feel

I waited a year after my 8.5 year marriage ended (ex had an affair). I wasn’t ready. I dated 3 or 4 people over the course of a year and each time they wanted to get more serious, I just couldn’t do it. The last one ended 9 months ago and I haven’t dated since.

I waited 6 months. That’s how long it took to sort house/financial side of things, it was right for me. I think if you’re thinking about it then there’s nothing to lose by giving it a try.
id been married 9years, together 16 but no real intimacy for a few years before separation. No children though, I could see having kids would maybe make dating more difficult.

Couple of months. I was remarried within 3 years of my divorce and had another child in that time. Don't regret a thing. My second marriage is infinitely better than my first!

Hi, I'm currently going through a divorce, similarly to you I was married for the same length of time, it's amicable and there hasn't been intimacy for a while. I'm absolutely craving to get back out there and feel some feelings again! I'm mid 40s and lacking confidence though and keep hearing how bad the online dating world is!

Me - about 9 months but we had kids so needed to be mindful of that.

exh - 1 week! Arsehole!

It has nothing to do with anyone else when/if you start dating anyone else. You are a single woman. Friends can mind their own business. When I separated I started casually doing OLD after a couple of months, but it was fine: these were just friendly, casual walks/coffee/dinner out. I must have been lucky because although I certainly didn't fancy most of the men I met, I had some really interesting conversations.

I think maybe others think you're going to have some kind of massive rebound affair or something, but it doesn't have to be like that at all, it can just be some casual company for an evening/lunch/whatever.

With no kids to consider I say go for it. Friends may have their opinion, but its your choice to make.

About 2 weeks. Didn’t expect anything serious but that was almost 20 years ago and we’re still together. Best thing I ever did.

Love this!

Really! Brilliant!

30 year marriage, divorced 18 months. Still way too soon (hence user name!) although marriage was dead for at least 5 years. He hooked up with someone else within 6 months

Twenty three years since leaving XH, I never have and I never want to!

I relished being on my own with my DDs, now at 59 I have absolutely no desire to date or meet anyone else. I’m happy in my little house with DD2 and our cat.

I dated around 5/6 weeks after my exh and I separated. He was cheating.our son wasn’t quite 2 years. I should’nt have dated so soon. I wasn’t ready and I was looking for a replacement in hindsight.
Anyway, I dated several unsuitable men, nothing serious. Then after about 2 years of that I had enough lol So I decided to stay single for a while. But around 6 months later I met my now husband and we have been married for 15 years with another 2 children.