The Dating After Divorce Tinder Review
Oh, Tinder.
You are - without a doubt - the most famous dating app out there. Even though match.com launched 17 years before you did, everyone still thinks of you as the OG dating app. You’ve become a household name in the process, introducing generations of daters to the concept of swiping. While your interface is simple and easy to use, it’s hard to swallow the ways you manipulate your users into signing up for different pricing tiers to get features like unlimited swipes.
Quick Tinder Overview
Tinder is the most widely known “swipe” style dating app on the planet, facilitating nearly 2 billion swipes a day in over 190 countries. It’s often the first place that people dating after divorce go when they jump into online dating. Your Tinder profile is simple, consisting of your name, some professional details (such as your employer or school), a 500 character written bio, and up to six images. You can also link your Instagram account. Signup is easy - you can use their iOS or Android App or just a regular web browser.
Tinder Pros:
Tinder is easy for first-time online daters to use. It’s also free if you’re OK with limited features and swipes.
Tinder’s massive user base makes it easy to date online almost anywhere in the world. Their passport feature makes it possible to change location, allowing you to swipe around the world.
Tinder’s basic profile makes it easy to make a quick decision, swipe right or left, and keep moving.
Tinder has safety features that allow you to share first-date details with people you trust.
Tinder Cons:
Tinder is carefully designed to convince you to pay to get access to more features and more swipes through their Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum pricing tiers.
There’s a reason that Tinder has a reputation as a hookup dating app. That’s because it’s the biggest hookup dating app out there!
Users living in the suburbs or in rural areas have much less success with Tinder, which works best in larger metropolitan areas.
Tinder’s shorter, more limited profiles make it difficult to figure out what people are really looking for.
Tinder for Those dating After Divorce
While every divorce is unique, everyone follows a common journey as they begin dating after divorce. While dating apps do have a time and a place on this journey, you should be careful when and how you use them. Below are the three main steps to dating after divorce, and my opinion on using Tinder during each of them.
Step 1: Transitioning from “we” back to “me”
Your divorce is final and you’ve taken a deep breath. Now you must go from “we” back to “me”, exploring who you really are and what you want. Now is NOT a time for dating apps!
Many of my clients mistakenly download Tinder and start swiping the night away before their divorce is even finalized. They’re often emotionally (and physically) starved, and turn to Tinder to help them address the loneliness they’re feeling. Resist this urge, as it can cause a lot of emotional damage. Instead, focus on healing yourself. Here’s a free resource that can help.
Step 2: You’re ready to casually date.
This is the point in your dating after divorce journey where you’re carefully dipping your toes back into the dating pool. Dating apps can often help you figure out what you really like (and what you don’t). This is an important part of getting back out there! In fact, I encourage my clients to go out with someone who is the complete opposite of their ex.
I mentioned that Tinder is usually the first dating app newly single individuals find themselves downloading. Generally speaking, if you’re looking for something casual, Tinder has been a reliable tool for meeting other singles for years.
If the two parties are consenting adults and upfront with their intentions - I say go for it, but take precautions.
Step 3: You’re ready for a relationship.
You know who you are. You know what you want. And you know that you’re ready for the next big step. Sometimes a dating app can help this process along, but oftentimes they don’t.
Tinder is not a dating app that I recommend for those who are looking for a serious or long-term relationship. That being said, there are plenty of couples who have met and fell in love with the app. My cousin met her now-husband on Tinder 8 years ago.
Quite a lot has changed since Tinder ruled the dating realm. If you’re looking for a relationship, you now have plenty of other dating apps to choose from with less of a well-known “hook up” stigma attached to it.
So if you’re looking for a relationship and find yourself on Tinder - proceed with caution!
Final Thoughts
Wherever you find yourself in the dating after divorce process there is plenty to be said for taking your time, leading with intention, and being honest with whoever you meet. This may mean that you choose to casually date for however long you need to. Just remember to take your time and don't rush. The dating scene will still be there when you're ready.
Want to hear how outsourcing your dating profile can save you time and energy? Book a free consultation here.
In the meantime - Happy swiping, my friend!
