Dating site for widow(er): How to take the next step to find love again

Of the many challenges that come with being a widow or widower, dating can feel like one of the most insurmountable, for various reasons. Grief for the partner you’ve lost, lingering guilt at the idea of moving on and being happy, the worry your friends and family will judge them, the feeling of being out of touch with the dating scene… all those things and more can make widow or widower singles hesitant about dating again.

But that’s not to say finding love again is impossible, especially if you’re a widow or widower on a dating site.

Why looking for love after a loss can be hard

Dating as a widower or widow brings some unique challenges with it, including:

Memories of the person you’ve lost

Unlike someone who is divorced, widows and widowers often still have fond memories of the person they’ve lost. This can lead to their deceased spouse casting an unintentional shadow over the relationship – the dating widower might, for instance, wind up comparing any potential partners to the spouse they’ve lost, even without meaning to. Or the person dating a widower might feel like they’re in competition with a memory.

TIP: Do your best to stop comparing your deceased spouse with the person you’re dating, even in your mind. The more you practise doing this, the easier it will become.

Unfamiliarity with the dating scene

Depending on how long you and your spouse were together, you might have no idea how to go about dating as a widower – things have certainly changed drastically when it comes to finding a partner. One option as a widower is a dating site – it takes some of the pressure off, and you can spare yourself the awkward conversations about former partners. You can also choose the pace of your relationship, something else that might be challenging now you’re dating as a widower.

TIP: Do your research; there are plenty of articles. You can even ask friends who are currently on the dating scene.

Emotional highs and lows

Dating as a widower also means dealing with a range of emotions – grief for your spouse and the happily-ever-after you thought you would have, especially on special days like birthdays and anniversaries. Then there may be guilt for moving on. You might even feel like you’re cheating on your spouse, even if intellectually you know that they would have wanted you to move on and be happy. These emotions are completely normal and natural, but finding someone who understands and accepts this aspect of you can be challenging, especially if you were widowed young.

TIP: Therapy is a great idea for dealing with any lingering issues.

How does eharmony work as a widower dating site or app?

Many people who have lost a spouse choose to use a dedicated widower dating site. However, eharmony is also a great choice if you’re a widower considering dating again.

• Discover the real you: eharmony is not just another widower dating website or app – we believe love happens when you find someone who just gets you. That’s why everyone starts with our Compatibility Quiz. Your answers help us find the singles you’re most likely to hit it off with.
• Complete your profile: The key to successful online dating as a widow(er) starts with your profile. We make this process as enjoyable as possible by having richly detailed profiles that are easy to digest. That’s why eharmony is the dating app with the highest-rated user profiles.¹
• Explore singles in UK: In your Discover list, you’ll find every eharmony member who fits your search criteria. Each member you see will display a Compatibility Score based on how likely you are to hit it off. You can filter who you see based on traits you share (e.g. distance, education, age, desire for kids etc.) – and you’ll also see what you have in common with each member.
• It all starts with a Like: Not sure how to get the conversation started? We’ve made it easy: if something on a member’s profile catches your eye, just hit Like. Then you have the option to add a personalized message. You can hit Like on answers to profile questions, their hobbies or your similarities.
• Two likes make a Match: It all Once you get a Like back, it’s a Match. Congratulations! You can now swap messages and send Icebreakers or react with a Smile to get to know each other better. Because we believe love happens when two people connect based on what really matters. If you’re ready to find out, sign up today. 

Moving on is hard, but find love again as a widower is possible

Dating as a widower brings with it unique issues and challenges. That said, you shouldn’t close yourself off to the possibility of a second chance at happiness, or let yourself believe that dating a widower is not something people would want to do. Remember, love comes when you least expect it… but you can increase the chances of it showing up by signing up for eharmony, so join today and take your first steps on the path to your romantic future.