How Long Should You Wait Before Dating Again? (A Contrarian Take).

How long should you wait before dating again after a breakup? The conventional wisdom says take your time and don't jump into anything too soon. But in this episode, Dr. Messer shares how he and his now-wife got together just days after she left a long-term relationship, and makes the contrarian case that waiting is not always necessary. Dr. Messer and Dr. Liao dig into what "should" really means when we talk about waiting, whether dating while grieving can actually help you heal, how to date honestly so a new partner knows what they're getting into, and how to tell the difference between a rebound and a real connection. Two licensed psychologists, two different takes. Where do you land? Let us know in the comments. Liang Liao, Ph.D., www.brightstarscounseling.com David Messer, Ph.D., www.davidmesserphd.com 00:00 Introduction 01:35 David's revelation 02:58 Why you should wait 05:52 Why you don't need to wait 13:13 Can your new partner handle the truth? 21:17 Is it a rebound? How to tell Note: This channel is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Viewing this content does not create a therapist–client relationship. If you are experiencing distress, mental health concerns, or a crisis, please seek help from a qualified mental health professional in your area. If you are in the United States and in crisis, you can call or text 988 or use webchat at 988lifeline.org. If you are outside the U.S., please find a crisis helpline in your country.