After a divorce, some people are eager to “complete” their journey by finding a new life partner. Especially if you hate being single or feel like you lost years in a bad marriage, you might be tempted to fast-track a serious relationship or remarriage. Yet, counterintuitive as it sounds, slowing down often leads to better outcomes. This article examines why patience in a “second time around” romance is crucial, citing evidence (and perhaps learning from others’ mistakes) about what can go wrong when you rush, and the benefits of a deliberate pace.

The Statistics and Why They Matter:
It is an eye-opener to learn that second marriages have a higher divorce rate than first marriages, estimated at around 60-67%. Why would that be? One reason experts cite is that people often carry unresolved issues or jump in too quickly without truly vetting compatibility or without having healed. There is sometimes an assumption, “I know what I am doing now, I will not make the same mistake”, but then they end up making different mistakes or the same ones in a new guise. Time itself is not a cure-all, but using time wisely to heal, to get to know a new partner thoroughly, to experience life together across different situations is key. Blended family researchers also note that stepfamilies take years (4-5) to fully integrate, which implies rushing a marriage where kids are involved can be especially tough. So, statistics are not destiny, but they should give pause: what’s the hurry, if going slower might actually give you a better chance at beating those odds?

Emotional Rebound and Its Tricks:
After a divorce, especially if it was painful or you felt lonely for a long time, the surge of attention and affection from a new romance can be intoxicating. It is easy to confuse relief or infatuation with true love. That’s what people commonly refer to as a rebound, not just dating quickly but using a new relationship’s high to cover the pain of the last. The danger is you might overlook compatibility issues or red flags because you so want this new chapter to “fix” the past. For example, you might rush to move in together because it feels so nice not to be alone, and wow, you have so much fun together on weekends. But living together day to day is different, and you might find habits or values clash. By then, you are entangled in leases, maybe kids attached, making it harder to step back. Taking time helps ensure you are choosing your new partner for the right reasons (who they are and how you two truly mesh), not just because they are the opposite of your ex or because you fear being alone.

Assessing True Compatibility:
No matter how great someone is, compatibility covers many dimensions core values, life goals, communication styles, how you handle conflict, financial habits, etc. These reveal themselves over time. Anyone can be on their best behaviour for a few months. It’s not like you need to test your partner with artificial challenges; life will naturally present some. Maybe one of you loses a job, or one gets sick, or a disagreement arises about holiday plans. Seeing how you both navigate those is crucial. If you marry or make big commitments before experiencing any real-life stress together, you are kind of rolling the dice. Sometimes it works out, but other times people end up saying, “We married too soon. I had no idea how he handled anger, and it turns out we cannot resolve fights at all.” Dating for an extended period (a year, two years) allows you to see each other in various seasons of life. It also integrates your social worlds you get to meet each other’s friends and family, see how you each fit in, and how you handle differences there. These things don’t fully come to light in a whirlwind six-month courtship. Slowing down is not unromantic; it is giving romance a solid foundation of reality to stand on.

Children and Blending Lives:
If either of you has children, that is a huge factor. Experts often say it is wise to date for a couple of years before marrying when kids are involved. The kids need time to adjust to the idea of a new person and possibly step-siblings. You, as parents, need to see how you align on parenting approaches. Imagine marrying quickly only to find your new spouse has a discipline style you find appalling, or they thought you had handled all the domestic stuff because “you are the mom”, and that clashes with your more egalitarian view. Those are serious conflict points. By dating longer, you can discuss and witness each other’s parenting and gradually iron out differences or decide if they are dealbreakers. Also, logistically, blending households involves finances, housing, and legal considerations (wills, etc.). Rushing can result in not having important conversations about money or assumptions about roles until after vows, which is a recipe for disappointment or resentment. Taking time allows you to do premarital counselling or workshops specifically for remarriage/stepfamilies (which are highly recommended). It’s much better to hit pause on a wedding than to barrel into one unprepared and then face turmoil that a bit more preparation could have mitigated.

The Allure of “Getting it Right” This Time:
Psychologically, some divorced folks are eager to have a “success” to wash away the “failure” they feel their divorce represents. That can add pressure to remarry and prove, mostly to oneself, “See, I can do this.” Be cautious of that drive. A second marriage should not be about erasing the first; it should stand on its own merits. If you sense you are rushing into something just to validate yourself or because all your friends are coupled up, it is time to slow down and maybe talk it out with a therapist or confidant. Marry (or commit long term) when it truly feels right, not because of external or internal pressure. There is no deadline to meet. Some meet the love of their life years down the road when they least expected it. Others find them soon after divorce, but still take it easy. Your journey is unique, and there is no race. In fact, taking it slow can be oddly romantic, choosing each other deliberately, every day, rather than being swept purely by impulse.

Red Flags and Rose Coloured Glasses:
Rushing can keep those rose coloured glasses superglued to your face. Slowing down gives you time to notice red flags or even yellow flags. Does your new love always interrupt you? Does she handle disagreements by giving silent treatments for days (something that would drive you crazy)? Does he have a suspicious reluctance to let you meet any of his friends? These subtle signs might be missed or downplayed if you are on the express lane to commitment because everything feels so passionate and meant to be. When you slow down, you have more space to question, “Hmm, that did not sit right with me, let’s address it.” And addressing it over time lets you see if problems can be resolved or not. If not, better to find out before legal ties and moving vans. It is not pessimistic to look for potential problems; it is pragmatic. Every couple has some friction; knowing what it is early allows you to decide if it is manageable or a dealbreaker. Think of slow dating as a long test drive. You had test-driven a car and maybe even rented the model for a weekend trip before buying, right? Do at least that much due diligence with a life partner.

Building a Stronger Future Together:
When you take time, you can also build a shared vision more concretely. You can talk through “What would marriage mean for us differently than before? What did we learn from our past relationships that we want to do better?” Maybe you both agree to communicate more openly or keep weekly date nights, or maintain separate bank accounts, whatever lessons you gleaned. Implement some of those habits even while dating to see how it goes. Essentially, treat the dating period not as just a prolonged honeymoon, but as training for a partnership. That way, when you marry, you are hitting the ground running with skills and understanding that couples who rushed might not have had time to develop. It is like the difference between planting a seedling that has had time to grow strong roots in a pot before transplanting (more likely to thrive) versus just scattering a seed and hoping it takes in harsh soil.

Conclusion: Getting remarried or committing fully to a new partner is absolutely a wonderful goal. Finding lasting love again is beautiful. By pacing yourself, you are not diminishing that love; you are protecting it. You’re giving it the best chance to truly last “till death do us part” this time. So, if you feel things are moving fast, have that conversation with your partner. A loving partner will understand and may even share the relief of taking pressure off. If they push you with “If you loved me, why wait?” that is a red flag. Love is patient, as the saying goes. It is far better to have a slightly longer courtship than a short courtship followed by a short marriage and another heartbreak.

So, take a deep breath. Enjoy the journey of unfolding layers of your relationship. You will likely discover even more reasons to love your partner in the extended getting-to-know-you phase, and if you discover deal-breakers, you’ll be glad you did before taking vows.

In the end, when you do walk down that aisle again (if marriage is your aim), you can do so with peace of mind that “this time, we are truly ready.” And that confidence is priceless.

Call to Action: Thinking about remarriage or a serious commitment? We highly recommend our Second Time Around workshop for couples, a program designed for engaged or seriously dating divorced couples to explore crucial topics (money, exes, stepfamilies, etc.) before tying the knot. It’s like premarital counselling on steroids and fun too. Also, download our checklist “Are We Ready? 15 Questions to Discuss Before Remarrying” it is a great conversation starter with your partner to ensure you are on the same page. Remember, true love is not a sprint; it is a marathon. Pace yourselves and finish strong, hand in hand.

Sources: northamptoncouplestherapy.com