I Thought I Was Ready for Love… Until This One Pattern Showed Up Again

“Different face, same pattern—until you decide to choose peace over potential.”— Nichole Banks

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I Thought I Was Ready for Love… Until This One Pattern Showed Up Again

There’s a very specific kind of heartbreak that only shows up after divorce.

It’s not the big, dramatic, ugly-cry-on-the-bathroom-floor heartbreak.
You’ve already survived that one.

No, this heartbreak is quieter. Sneakier.
It shows up when you think you’ve done the work.
When you’ve journaled, prayed, listened to podcasts, taken long walks, and told yourself, “Okay… I’m ready now.”

And then—bam.
The same kind of man shows up again.

Different face. Same energy.

And suddenly you’re sitting there thinking,
“Wait… how did I end up here again?”

Girl, I have been there. More than once.

The Hopeful Beginning (a.k.a. The Part We All Love)

It usually starts off great.

He’s charming.
Attentive.
Maybe even a little mysterious in that “he’s just busy with work” kind of way.

You feel those butterflies again.
And let’s be honest—after divorce, those butterflies can feel like a miracle.

Because there was a time you thought:

• Maybe I’ll be alone forever.

• Maybe love just isn’t in the cards for me.

• Maybe that was my one shot.

So when someone new comes along, and there’s chemistry, connection, and hope…

It feels like the universe is finally saying,
“Okay, sweetheart. Round two. Let’s try again.”

And you lean in.

Not recklessly.
Not desperately.
Just… hopefully.

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The Tiny Red Flag You Almost Miss

At first, it’s small.

He takes a long time to text back.
He cancels a date last minute.
He says things like:

• “I’m just not ready for anything serious.”

• “Let’s just see where this goes.”

• “I’ve been hurt before too.”

And instead of running, you empathize.

Because you’ve been hurt too.

You tell yourself:

• He just needs time.

• He’s different.

• I’m more healed now. I can handle this.

And here’s the sneaky part…

You’re not ignoring the red flags because you’re desperate.
You’re ignoring them because you’re hopeful.

And hope, without boundaries, can get you into some emotional trouble.

The Moment It Clicks

There’s always a moment.

A conversation that feels off.
A weekend where he disappears.
A situation where you feel like you’re giving more than you’re getting.

And suddenly, that familiar feeling creeps in.

The anxiety.
The overthinking.
The “Should I text him?” spiral.

And you catch yourself doing the same old things:

• Re-reading messages

• Overanalyzing his tone

• Wondering what you did wrong

• Shrinking yourself to keep the peace

And that’s when it hits you.

“Oh no… this feels familiar.”

Not because it’s the same man.

But because it’s the same pattern.

Healing looks good on you.
And your second act? It’s already unfolding.

The Pattern No One Talks About

Here’s the truth most people don’t say out loud:

You don’t just attract people.
You attract familiar emotional experiences.

If chaos feels normal, you’ll gravitate toward chaotic love.
If distance feels safe, you’ll pick distant partners.
If you’re used to proving your worth, you’ll find someone who makes you work for it.

Not because you’re broken.
Not because you’re stupid.

Because your nervous system is looking for what feels familiar, not what’s actually good for you.

And after divorce, many women fall into one of these patterns:

• The emotionally unavailable man

• The “nice but no spark” man

• The fixer-upper

• The man who needs just a little more time, patience, and understanding

Sound familiar?

The Question That Changes Everything

Instead of asking:

“Does he like me?”

I started asking:

“How do I feel when I’m with him?”

Do I feel:

• Calm or anxious?

• Chosen or confused?

• Peaceful or like I’m performing?

Because love—real love—doesn’t feel like a constant guessing game.

It doesn’t leave you refreshing your phone every ten minutes.
It doesn’t make you question your worth.
It doesn’t feel like you’re in a silent audition for the role of “girlfriend.”

Real love feels… steady.

And for a lot of us, steady feels weird at first.
Almost boring.

But that’s because we’ve been conditioned to associate intensity with love.

So… Are You Really Ready for Love?

This is the part where I get very honest with my clients.

Being ready for love isn’t about:

• How long it’s been since your divorce

• How many books you’ve read

• How many dates you’ve gone on

• Or whether you’ve “moved on” from your ex

Being ready for love is about this:

Can you walk away from someone who gives you less than you deserve… even if you like them?

That’s the real test.

Because if you can’t, the same pattern will keep showing up in different outfits.

Different name.
Different job.
Same emotional experience

Three Gentle Signs a Pattern Is Repeating

If you’re dating and something feels a little “off,” check in with yourself:

1. You feel more anxious than excited.

Butterflies are normal.
Constant overthinking is not.

2. You’re doing most of the emotional work.

You’re the planner, the checker-inner, the fixer.

3. You’re making excuses for behavior you wouldn’t accept from a friend.

If your best friend told you the same story, what would you tell her?

Exactly.

The Good News (Yes, There Is Some)

Patterns aren’t life sentences.

They’re just unconscious habits.

And habits can change.

Once you notice the pattern, you’re already ahead of where you were before.

Awareness is the first step toward choosing differently.

And choosing differently—even in small ways—changes everything over time.

A Little Heart-to-Heart From Me to You

If you’re reading this and thinking,
“Oh wow… this is exactly what I’m going through,”
I want you to know something.

You’re not behind.
You’re not broken.
And you’re definitely not the only one.

So many women think they’re ready for love, only to discover there’s one last pattern quietly running the show.

And that realization?

It’s not a failure.
It’s a breakthrough.

Because now you get to do something different.

Not Sure Where You Stand? Start Here.

If you’re wondering whether you’re truly ready for love—or still healing in ways you didn’t realize—I created something just for you.

Take the Are You Ready for Love? Quiz.

It’ll show you which stage you’re in:

• The Healing Heart

• The Empowered Heart

• Or the Love Seeker

No pressure.
No timelines.
Just clarity.

And sometimes, clarity is the most loving thing you can give yourself.

If this spoke to you, you’d probably love the deeper conversations we have every week on The Nichole Banks Podcast, where we talk about healing, boundaries, confidence, and love after divorce—with a little humor and real talk mixed in.

Because your story didn’t end with divorce.

Girl, it just got interesting.

.~Nichole Banks💛
Listen to the full episode on The Nichole Banks Podcast
👉 Take the Are You Ready for Love? Quiz

Ready to Go Deeper?

If this article hit home (and maybe hit a few nerves in the best way), don’t stop here. This kind of healing deserves support, community, and real tools—not just inspiration.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode here
💻 Explore my courses, women’s retreats, and the Dare to Begin Membership at nicholebanks.com
👯‍♀️ And don’t forget to share this with a friend who needs a reminder that healing is not a solo sport.

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