Scrolling dating apps after your divorce? Feeling the pull to fill the void with someone new? I get it, but here's what you need to know: dating too soon keeps you from becoming who you're meant to be.

We dive into the real dangers of jumping into dating before you're ready: attracting the same type of person, missing red flags you're now trained to ignore, and robbing yourself of the transformation waiting for you. We reframe this year not as punishment or loneliness, but as your Year of Empowerment, a season to reclaim your identity, set boundaries you've never had, and build the foundation for truly healthy love.

You'll hear practical advice on navigating singleness, investing in yourself, and why the best relationship you can have right now is with God and with yourself. If Part 1 convinced you to wait, Part 2 shows you exactly how to make that year count. This isn’t about deprivation—it's about alignment, clarity, and choosing connection that lets you stay you.

📓 Companion Journal (free)

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272817871750921/share

If something stirred in you today, you don't have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Follow so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you just started following — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

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🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

In This Episode

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:34 The Pull Toward Dating Too Soon

02:32 Your Year of Empowerment

03:30 Reclaiming Your Authentic Self

05:00 Navigating Life Changes

13:02 Healing Through Self-Care + Growth

13:38 Deepening Your Relationship with God

14:40 Closing Encouragement

⚖️ Disclaimer

Just a reminder:

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.

If you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional and/or seek wise counsel within...

Fresh out of a marriage and already thinking about dating again? I get it...you want to feel valued, desired, and whole again. But here's the truth you need: rushing into a new relationship will rob you of the healing you desperately need. You'll lose yourself before you ever find yourself, and you're worth more than that!🤍

In this episode, I share why waiting at least a year after divorce isn't about punishment -- it's about reclaiming yourself. I open up about my own journey: the temptation to jump into something new, what happened when I chose myself instead, and how that year of waiting became the most empowering season of my life.

You'll hear about rediscovering who you are outside of being someone's wife or significant other, learning to trust yourself again, and why skipping this step keeps you stuck in old patterns. If you're tired of being told what you want to hear and ready for what you actually need, this episode is for you. 🤍 Part 1 of 2.

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Follow so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you just started following — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

📓 Companion Journal:

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272817871750921/share

If something stirred in you today, you don't have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

00:00 Introduction and Bold Statement

01:42 The Importance of Waiting After Divorce

03:07 Personal Struggles and Emotional Pull

06:49 What Healing Actually Looks Like

08:41 Reclaiming Identity and Confidence

13:15 Strengthening Mind, Body, and Spirit

19:17 Closing Encouragement

📓 Companion Journal (free)

https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1867562/169272817871750921/share

⚖️ Disclaimer

Just a reminder:

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.

If you’re in crisis

If you’re living in hidden abuse, it can be hard to know what you actually need — especially when nothing looks obviously “dangerous.”

Maybe there are no bruises.

Maybe things only feel scary during conflict.

Maybe you’ve been told you’re overreacting.

But Brave One… your safety is still worth preparing for.

This isn’t panic. This isn’t drama. This is wisdom.

In this episode, I gently walk you through:

• What a basic safety plan looks like

• Why it can matter even before things escalate

• What to quietly gather over time

• How to think clearly when fear or confusion cloud judgment

• The difference between preparing and panicking

Your courage doesn’t mean walking in danger —

it means caring for yourself as you take your next brave step. 🤍

#Validated #ownvoiceheal #hiddenabuse #covertabuse #narcissisticabuse #psychologicalabuse #emotionalabuse

--

ONE WOMAN™ Note

If you know a woman who might be living in hidden abuse, you can help her stay safe.

Invite her over for coffee so she can watch from a safe device.

Be her voice in the comments.

Subscribe for her until she can subscribe for herself.

ONE WOMAN helping ONE WOMAN… changes everything. 🤍

--

☕️ New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Subscribe so you never miss one.

🙏 A special welcome if you just subscribed — I’m grateful you’re here. 🤍

👉 Start the healing journey here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cSXSdist0GYS4EL-yT9ockORATI-MY5

📓 Companion Journal (Free)

If something stirred in you today, you don't have to hold it alone.

This journal gives you a private place to process at your own pace.

{Link Here}

Listen & Subscribe

🤍 Listen page: https://validatedpodcast.com/listen

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ownvoiceheal?sub_confirmation=1

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/validated-own-voice-heal/id1850964341

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MPNnTAWX2VsoMR9Lek2r2?si=2ed341ee4c0f4306

🔗 RSS: https://feeds.captivate.fm/validated-own-voice-heal/

📓 Free Companion Journals: https://validatedpodcast.com/validated-vault

In This Episode

00:00 Introduction to Safety Planning

00:54 Understanding the Need for a Safety Plan

01:44 Recognizing Escalation and Preparing for Safety

03:40 Steps to Create a Safety Plan

06:31 Preparing Essentials for a Quick Exit

07:57 Ensuring Children's Safety

08:26 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

08:56 Disclaimer and Professional Advice

--

Disclaimer

I’m not a licensed therapist, medical professional, or attorney. The stories, insights, and reflections I share through the Validated podcast, website, and downloadable resources are based on my personal experiences, perspectives, and opinions. Identifying details have been changed or omitted to protect privacy.

This content is offered for support and education, not accusation, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional care. No therapeutic relationship is implied or created by your use of this content.

If you’re in crisis or need personalized help, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional and/or seek wise counsel within your faith community. You are worthy of such support.

Music Credit & License

Intro/Outro music: “Lofi Background Music-337568” by [Artist] — licensed via Pixabay.

Licensed under the Pixabay Content License (free for commercial use; no attribution required). Content ID registered; used with license.