You’ve been through a lot. You loved, you lost, and now, against all odds, you’re back in the game. But let’s be honest: dating as a widowed woman is wild. One minute, you’re getting ghosted by a guy who said he “loves deep conversations,” and the next, your friend is trying to set you up with her cousin twice removed who “has a great personality.”
Here’s the kicker: It’s not your age, your past, or your choice of profile pictures (yes, even if they include your cat). The real culprit? Outdated dating rules that are keeping you single. Let’s break them down, and, of course, find a way to actually enjoy dating again.
1. “Wait for Him to Make the First Move”
Oh, honey. We are not in the 1800s, and you are not waiting for a suitor to send a letter via carrier pigeon. If you’re interested, make a move. Like his profile, send the first message, ask him out for coffee. Confidence is magnetic, and guess what? Men love women who know what they want.
What to Do Instead: Try a dating platform designed for empowered women. (Speaking of which, have you checked out BoldLove? More on that later.)
2. “Don’t Talk About Your Past Relationship”
Look, your love story didn’t end, it evolved. But the fear of “scaring someone off” by mentioning your late spouse is keeping you from connecting with the right person. A quality partner won’t feel threatened by your past; they’ll respect it.
What to Do Instead: Be honest, but keep it light at first. If a guy can’t handle your history, he’s not worth your future.
3. “You Need to Find Someone Who is ‘Better’ Than Your Late Husband”
This one is a silent heartbreaker. Subconsciously, you might be measuring every date against your past love, and that’s an impossible standard. Nobody replaces anyone. Love doesn’t work that way.
What to Do Instead: Look for different, not better. Maybe your late husband was reserved, and now you’re drawn to someone more adventurous. Give yourself permission to love in a new way.
4. “Avoid Online Dating, It’s a Jungle Out There”
Is online dating a circus? Absolutely. But it’s also where people meet, fall in love, and build new lives together. Ignoring it because you’ve heard horror stories is like avoiding restaurants because one time someone got food poisoning.
What to Do Instead: Use a platform built for women who know what they want. Enter BoldLove, a dating app tailored for women ready to embrace their next chapter. No weird catfishers, no “hey u up?” texts at 2 AM, just genuine connections with mature, respectful men.
5. “Take It Slow, You Need More Time”
How much time is enough? A year? Five? Forever? There’s no rulebook on grief, and there’s certainly no timer on when you should feel ready. The longer you “wait for the right time,” the longer you let life pass you by.
What to Do Instead: Give yourself permission to try. Sign up for BoldLove today, even if you’re just browsing. Take the leap, your next great love could be waiting.
The Bottom Line
Love doesn’t come with a rulebook, and if it did, it would probably be outdated. The key is to rewrite the rules, embrace new opportunities, and step into your power.