
23 | Dating After Abuse: Slower, Safer Sparks
From The Messy Middle Podcast by Erika Leon
May 14, 2026 · 16 min · Episode 23
About this episode
This episode discusses the challenges and considerations of dating after experiencing narcissistic abuse or a high control relationship.
If the idea of dating again still makes you feel physically ill, this episode is not for you yet, and that is completely okay. But if you have got to the point where you are dipping a toe back in, or even just thinking about it, this one is for you. Because something strange happens when you start dating after narcissistic abuse or a high control relationship. You expect to be better at spotting the warning signs. And in some ways, you are. But there is another layer that nobody really prepar...
People in this episode
Host: Erika Leon
Topics covered
- dating
- abuse recovery
- narcissistic abuse
- relationships
- self-awareness
Keywords
- dating after abuse
- narcissistic abuse
- high control relationships
- warning signs
- emotional recovery
More episodes of The Messy Middle Podcast
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- 26 | The 'Was it really that bad?" Thought Spiral.. · June 4, 2026 · 12 min
- 25 | Dating as a Practice Ground for Self-Trust · May 28, 2026 · 15 min
- 24 | The “Oh Hell No” Phase of Healing: When All You See are Red Flags · May 21, 2026 · 18 min
- 22 | Financial Fear After Narcissistic Abuse: What Nobody Talks About · May 7, 2026 · 18 min
- 21 | The Quiet Grief of "Wasted Years" · April 23, 2026 · 21 min
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