dating after divorce Archives - The Crush Confidential

How to Know If You’re Truly Ready to Date Again After Divorce

Posted on September 24, 2025September 24, 2025 by Amanda Hood

Starting over after a divorce can feel overwhelming. Some people feel pressure to jump back in right away, while others wait years before dipping a toe into the dating pool again. The truth is, there’s no universal timeline for when you should begin — but there are signs that can help you know if you’re ready to pursue love again.

At The Crush Confidential, we often work with clients who are navigating this very transition. Whether it’s been months or years since your divorce, the most important thing is clarity — both about what you want and what you’re ready to give.

1. You’ve Processed the Past

If thoughts of your ex dominate your mind or you feel unresolved anger or sadness, it may be too soon. Healing first allows you to enter dating with openness instead of comparison. Seeking support from a trusted therapist or resources like DivorceCare can be an important step toward moving forward.

2. You Know What You’re Looking For

Post-divorce dating offers a chance to redefine what you want. Are you looking for a life partner, companionship, or simply the excitement of meeting new people? Getting clear on your goals helps prevent confusion and wasted time — for both you and your potential partner. For some, that’s where matchmaking services like our 3-date model can help, giving structure and clarity to the process.

3. You’re Comfortable Being Independent

One of the healthiest signs that you’re ready is enjoying your independence. If you feel whole on your own and see dating as an enhancement — not a solution — you’re in the right mindset to attract the right match.

4. You Have Time and Energy to Invest

Dating takes effort. From planning and showing up to staying emotionally present, it’s important to ask yourself: Do I have the bandwidth for this? If the answer is yes, you’re far more likely to find success. For single parents, Amanda recently shared in Now in the Nati that making time and prioritizing your dating journey is essential.

5. You’re Ready to Be Vulnerable Again

Love requires vulnerability. If you feel open to sharing your story, hopes, and dreams with someone new, you’ve likely turned a corner in your healing journey.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Dating after divorce isn’t about forgetting the past — it’s about writing a new chapter. With patience, intentionality, and the right guidance, love can absolutely find you again.

If you’re curious about how The Crush Confidential supports singles navigating this stage of life, explore our client success stories or reach out for a confidential consultation.

Why Shared Values Outweigh Shared Hobbies in Relationships

Posted on September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 by Amanda Hood

When it comes to dating, it’s easy to be swept away by common interests. Maybe you both love hiking, bingeing the same Netflix series, or trying out new restaurants. While those shared hobbies can spark fun and connection early on, they don’t necessarily guarantee long-term compatibility.

At The Crush Confidential, we see time and time again that the couples who thrive aren’t just bonded by what they do together—they’re united by what they believe in.

Why Values Matter More Than Activities

Hobbies can change. Interests fade. Life circumstances evolve. But values—like integrity, ambition, family priorities, spirituality, or financial mindset—are much more enduring.

A couple who both love hiking may get along on Saturday mornings, but if one values building a family and the other values total independence, tension is inevitable down the road. True compatibility comes from aligning on what matters most at the core.

The Role of Lifestyle Alignment

Amanda Hood, founder of The Crush Confidential, often emphasizes lifestyle alignment as the foundation of a successful relationship. It’s not just about liking the same things—it’s about wanting the same kind of life.

For example:

Do you both envision kids in your future?
How do you approach finances and career goals?
Is faith or spirituality important in your daily life?
How do you balance work, family, and personal time?

When these answers are aligned, the relationship feels natural. Shared hobbies become a bonus instead of the glue holding things together.

How to Shift Your Dating Mindset

If you’re single and looking for a partner, here are a few ways to focus on values over activities:

Ask intentional questions early. Instead of “What do you like to do for fun?” try “What’s most important to you right now in life?”
Pay attention to patterns. Notice not just what someone says, but how they live. Do their actions reflect values that match your own?
Don’t overlook differences. It’s okay to have separate hobbies—as long as your deeper goals align.

For more guidance, Amanda recently shared in her Now in the Nati interview that 95% of her clients are single parents—and for them, lifestyle alignment is even more crucial than ever.

The Bottom Line

Shared hobbies might get you a second date. Shared values are what build a lifetime partnership.

Want more insights? Explore our post on Intentional Dating: The Secret to Finding Love Faster or learn why dating with kids requires a mindset shift toward clarity and purpose.

Dating in Your 40s and Beyond: Why This Season of Life Can Be the Most Empowering for Love

Posted on August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 by Amanda Hood

There’s a common (and outdated) myth in the dating world:
That love has an expiration date.

At The Crush Confidential, we work with incredible singles in their 40s, 50s, and beyond—many of whom are just now entering the best season of their dating lives. They’re not “starting over.” They’re starting from experience, clarity, and confidence.

If you’re navigating love in this chapter, here’s why you’re in a far more powerful position than you might realize:

1. You Know Who You Are (and What You’re Not Willing to Compromise On)

Gone are the days of shapeshifting to fit someone else’s idea of “perfect.” You’ve lived, you’ve learned, and you’re clear on your values. That clarity isn’t a limitation—it’s your greatest advantage. You’re not here to convince someone to like you; you’re here to find someone who naturally aligns.

2. You’re Dating with Intention, Not Impulse

You’ve had the experiences that helped you refine what you want—and what you don’t. There’s no need to rush or settle. You’re not dating to fill space; you’re dating to build meaningful connection. That mindset attracts people who are on the same wavelength.

3. Your Life is Already Full—You’re Looking for Someone to Complement It, Not Complete It

Whether you’re focused on your career, raising kids, or enjoying an empty nest, you’re not dating from a place of “lack.” You’re looking for a partner to share a rich, already-fulfilling life with. That kind of groundedness creates healthier, more balanced relationships.

4. You’re Less Tolerant of Games and More Open to Genuine Connection

At this stage, you have zero interest in wasting time with people who play games or aren’t clear about their intentions. And that’s refreshing. You’re open—but not desperate. You’re selective—but not closed off. It’s a balance many people don’t find until their 40s and beyond.

5. You’re Not Afraid to Expand Your Horizons

In your 20s and 30s, location and logistics might have dictated your dating pool. But now? You’re more open to finding love beyond your city, your social circles, or even your state. You know that when lifestyle alignment and values click, geography can be flexible.

6. You’re Emotionally Stronger—But You Still Believe in Love

Perhaps the most empowering thing about dating in your 40s+ is that you’ve weathered life’s storms, but you haven’t let them close your heart. You’re resilient. You know what heartbreak feels like—but you also know that real, lasting love is worth staying open for.

Final Thought

Dating in your 40s, 50s, or beyond isn’t about reinventing yourself.
It’s about stepping into this season with all the wisdom, clarity, and grace you’ve earned—and knowing that your next chapter could be your best one yet.

Love doesn’t have an expiration date.
It has a timing—and this just might be yours.

What ‘Lifestyle Alignment’ Really Means in a Relationship

Posted on July 30, 2025July 30, 2025 by Amanda Hood

In modern dating, there’s a lot of talk about compatibility—but not nearly enough about lifestyle alignment.

At The Crush Confidential, we hear it all the time:
“He checks all the boxes, but something just feels off.”
Or,
“She’s great on paper, but I don’t see us actually living life together.”

That missing piece? It’s almost always lifestyle alignment.

So what exactly does that mean?

It’s Not Just About Shared Interests

You can both love travel, fitness, and Italian food—but if one of you is up at 5 AM training for triathlons and the other likes to sleep in and move slow, that disconnect will show up over time.

Lifestyle alignment is about rhythm, not just recreation.
It’s about how you structure your day, your weekends, your values, your energy.

Questions to consider:

Do you have similar social needs—nights out vs. nights in?
Are your financial habits in sync (spender vs. saver)?
Do your career goals complement or compete with each other?
What are your expectations around parenting, downtime, or even chores?

These are the things that make up life, not just love.

Alignment Doesn’t Mean Being the Same

It’s not about finding someone identical to you. In fact, most great couples bring balance to each other’s worlds. But when your core habits and priorities are too far apart, friction replaces flow.

Think of it like dancing:
You don’t have to mirror each other’s steps, but you do need to move to the same beat.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

As we get older and more rooted in our routines—especially for single parents, career-driven professionals, or people reentering the dating world—time and energy become precious.

The fantasy fades quickly if your day-to-day lives feel like a tug of war.

That’s why, during our matchmaking process, we look far beyond hobbies and surface preferences. We dig into how someone lives—because that’s where long-term compatibility truly lives.

The Bottom Line

It’s easy to be attracted to someone’s personality.
It’s harder—but far more important—to ask: Could we actually build a life together?

Lifestyle alignment doesn’t just make dating easier—it makes love feel like a partnership, not a project.

And when that alignment is there, everything else feels just a little more effortless.