Love these days feels like chasing a mirage: tempting, elusive, and often disappointing. The dating apps are loaded, my thumbs are primed, and yet… where is my needle in this digital haystack?

As I embark on my new journey of finding love again, I reflect on the many deep conversations I’ve had with my friends over the past nine months since my breakup. It may seem soon to jump back into the dating scene, but I believe in embracing opportunities as they come. So, where did I start? You guessed it: online dating.

In the midst of my tumultuous 12-year relationship, I never expected to find a true gem—one of my best friends, affectionately known as the Ice Queen. At first glance, she may seem like a formidable force with her cool demeanour and sharp wit, but underneath that icy exterior lies a heart of gold. She has been the best thing to come out of my past relationship, a shining light in the darkness that often surrounded me. Her strength and resilience have inspired me, reminding me that it’s okay to embrace both the tough and tender sides of life.

Life after him has been a journey of rediscovery and resilience, one that I didn't have to navigate alone. When the dust settled on our tumultuous relationship, I found myself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions—anger, sadness, and an overwhelming sense of loss. The promises of marriage and family had evaporated, leaving me to sift through the rubble of my dreams. But amidst the heartache, I realized this was an opportunity to reconnect with myself and redefine what happiness truly meant for me. My amazing friends, my girls, stood by my side, offering their unwavering support and reminding me I was never alone in this journey.

Dear Reader, this is a diary of a self-proclaimed lover girl who’s definitely been through the wringer when it comes to men! Ever since I can remember, I’ve been in love with the idea of love—romantic, sweeping, all-encompassing. But real life? Well, let’s just say it hasn’t quite lived up to the fairy tale. My journey has been full of twists and heartbreaks that have challenged everything I thought I knew about relationships.