SerpApi.Org
Giving love another chance after a divorce or separation is rarely easy. Beyond societal scrutiny and the emotional weight of a failed marriage, many Indians also grapple with quieter, deeply personal struggles as they attempt to open their hearts again.
A new survey by matchmaking app Rebounce suggests that for many previously married singles, the biggest obstacles to finding love again are not only external, but also emotional hurdles they continue to carry within.
"The biggest challenge is not finding love again, but rather the fact that many of the previously married singles have forgotten how to get started, or express affection, or even accept love," said Ravi Mittal, founder and CEO of the matchmaking platform.
The survey, conducted between April and June 2026 among 9,384 divorced and separated users aged 30 to 45 across Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, found that emotional recovery continues to shape people's experiences long after a marriage ends.
'Who am I outside the marriage?'
One of the strongest themes to emerge from the survey was the struggle to rediscover one's identity after marriage, particularly among women.
Nearly 47 per cent of divorced women aged above 35 said they found it difficult to see themselves as individuals rather than as part of a marriage. Many respondents said years of making decisions as "we" instead of "me" had left them unsure about their own interests, hobbies and aspirations.
For many, returning to dating was less intimidating than rebuilding a sense of self that existed outside their former relationship.
Rusty at romance
The survey also highlighted a significant decline in confidence when it comes to dating.
Among the 9,384 respondents, 5,432 said they felt "rusty" at romance despite deciding to give love another chance through a matchmaking platform.
Four in ten women said they felt shyer about making the first move than they had in their 20s. Meanwhile, 33 per cent of men admitted they worried about appearing awkward or emotionally inexperienced while flirting, complimenting a match or planning a first meeting."
Can't stop overexplaining
Another recurring challenge is the pressure to justify a failed marriage.
More than 5,500 respondents said they frequently overexplained the circumstances surrounding their divorce, even when potential partners had not asked about it.
Participants said they had become accustomed to being judged by society for ending a marriage and therefore felt compelled to clarify their side of the story. At the same time, many feared that discussing their past in too much detail could discourage a potential partner, while saying too little might make them appear dishonest.
Isha, a single mother from Delhi who participated in the survey, said she initially felt the need to justify her decision to divorce in every conversation.
"It was so exhausting in the beginning when I just started this journey. I would constantly tell all my matches about all that I had to endure and justify my choice to get divorced," she said.
"Only later did I realise that they were not judging me; I was just conditioned to judge and question myself."
