Learning to Navigate Love Again
There are some types of loneliness that are hard to describe. Not the kind that comes from isolation, but the quiet kind that creeps in when the kids are finally asleep and the house is still. The kind that makes you wish someone was there to ask how your day went, or to pull you in for a hug without needing an explanation.
It’s not that I’m longing for my past relationship—trust me, I’ve worked hard to find peace in that chapter being closed. But there’s something I miss about having a person. Someone comforting. Someone warm to cuddle up to while a film plays in the background. That soft reassurance that you don’t always have to carry it all on your own.
I’ve been thinking about dating again, but if I’m honest, the idea feels more exhausting than exciting. I tried downloading a dating app… lasted less than 24 hours. The cheesy pickup lines, the shallow conversations, and the unsolicited comments—it’s nothing like I remember. It all felt performative, like love had turned into a competition for the best filtered photo or the boldest flirty message.
And don’t even get me started on dating as a mum—that’s a conversation I’m not even ready to have yet.
There’s pressure to “get back out there,” to act like the door to love is something you’re supposed to jump back through once you’ve been single long enough. But where’s the guide for the mum who’s just trying to survive bedtime routines and job searching?
What about the woman who still hasn’t figured out how to show up for herself on her rare child-free days, let alone show up for a date?
Some days I feel confident in who I’m becoming. Other days, the weight of being both mother and provider swallows up every ounce of my energy. I want to connect, but I also want to feel safe. I want companionship, but I don’t want to lose myself again.
So for now, I’m learning to sit with the in-between. The not-yet-ready, but curious. The longing, without the desperation. I remind myself that I am enough as I am—and that maybe the right kind of love will find me when I’m not trying so hard to look for it.
✨ Reflection:
Dating after heartbreak, especially as a single mum, isn’t something you just “do.” It’s a journey of rebuilding trust, both in others and in yourself. And if you’re like me, still unsure of what this next chapter looks like, you’re not alone.
Sometimes the bravest thing is to admit you don’t have the answers yet. That you’re still figuring it out. That you can want connection, and still not be ready for it.
🌸 Affirmation:
I am allowed to feel lonely, without rushing to fill the void. I am whole, even while healing.
Let’s Talk About It
Have you felt the pressure to start dating again after a breakup?
What has your experience been like navigating love, dating apps, or loneliness as a single parent?
How do you balance your emotional needs with your responsibilities?
Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from others walking this same path.
Signed,
The Comforting Mum 🤎
The Comforting Mum 
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