What most people do not prepare you for is what happens after you heal—after the breakup that cracked you open, after the therapy, the sleepless nights, the journaling, the shadow work, the silent forgiveness. You finally cut ties with the person who drained your spirit. You learned to stop begging for bare minimum affection. You figured out how to love yourself without needing someone else to validate your worth. You became grounded in what you deserve.

But then comes the part no one talks about: stepping back into the world of dating with eyes wide open.

You go on that first date, and while the conversation is fine, you catch a shift in tone when they talk about their ex. They cancel once, then text less. You notice how they dodge questions with charm. You notice how they avoid giving direct answers. And suddenly, you are no longer just interested—you are analysing everything, remembering the last time you ignored these exact signs.

You are no longer looking through rose-coloured glasses.

Now you hear the excuses people make when they are emotionally unavailable.

You spot the inconsistency between what they say and what they actually do. You no longer feel flattered by love-bombing or early declarations of connection. You feel cautious. You feel alert.

This does not mean you are broken. It means you know better.

Healing has made you aware of what it costs to ignore your intuition. It has made you unwilling to chase mixed signals or settle for someone who shows up half the time.

It has taught you that peace feels unfamiliar at first—but it is worth holding out for.

You would rather be alone than share your heart with someone who confuses you. You would rather wait than lower your standards just to feel temporary closeness. Because now, you understand that love is not supposed to make you anxious. It is supposed to make you feel safe, understood, and free.

And that is what you are waiting for.

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”. 

This quote encourages a shift in perspective, focusing on the experience and lessons learned from the relationship rather than dwelling on its end. It also reminds you that every end can be a new beginning.