I Dated Abroad in 2024 and I Learned This

When I boarded a plane to London last year, I knew I was chasing adventure, healing, and maybe a little bit of myself. What I didn’t know is that I’d also find myself dipping a toe into the world of dating abroad for the first time. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure I was ready. After losing my Dad, my heart had been through a kind of grief that’s hard to explain. It was raw, fragile, and at times it felt like it would never recover. But London — with its energy, its accents, and its possibilities — made me curious again. And so, I dated.

Dating in London was… different. There’s a cultural rhythm to it that feels both exciting and unfamiliar. The men are charming, witty, and sometimes a little too polished. I met one man in particular who seemed to be the whole package: smart, funny, attentive (at least at first). We had those spark-filled conversations that make you feel like maybe, just maybe, the universe finally got one right for you. But then came the cracks.

He would twist words, make me second-guess myself, and suddenly the charming man I met turned into someone who gaslighted me. I found myself replaying conversations in my head, wondering if I was the problem. For a moment, I thought maybe I wasn’t ready, maybe grief had left me too broken. But then, like the clarity that comes after a London rain shower, I realized something important: it wasn’t me. It was him.

Here’s what I learned — dating abroad wasn’t about finding “the one” in a foreign country. It was about finding me again. That relationship, brief as it was, reminded me that my heart was healing. Even in the moments of confusion and hurt, I realized I was capable of showing up with love, vulnerability, and hope. And that’s not weakness — that’s strength.

Dating “for real” after losing my Dad was complicated. There were moments where I wanted to pick up the phone and tell him everything, just like I used to. Moments where I wished he could meet someone new in my life. But instead, I had to lean on the lessons he left me: know your worth, don’t settle, and never let anyone dim your light.

London taught me that healing isn’t linear. Sometimes it shows up in unexpected places — even across the table from someone who ultimately isn’t meant for you. And while that man may have tried to make me doubt myself, the experience actually gave me more clarity than confusion. My heart is not broken anymore; it’s just evolving.

So, what did I really learn from dating abroad in 2024? I learned that my heart is ready — ready to heal, ready to love again, and ready to embrace all of life’s messy, magical, and sometimes painful lessons. And the next time I date abroad (because there will definitely be a next time), I’ll be walking in knowing exactly who I am and what I deserve.
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Because healing doesn’t just happen in therapy sessions or in journaling. Sometimes, healing happens when you let your heart take a chance, even if it’s halfway around the world.