KLB, I think people use dating as a "coping" mechanism. Whether that's dealing with the loneliness, wanting to feel loved, or wanting to give love....
.. but many jump in before that have grown to become better people for their next R... or before they have healed.
The timeline is different for everyone....
.. but if you are asking, you probably aren't ready.
I don't think healing from these comes in a vacuum or isolation. Dating and being around ones of the opposite sex who do appreciate your time will re-inject some of your proper image into you.
I know when I was cheated for so long, that one of my girlfriends ( after a couple years in waiting ) dosed me up with kindness, intimacy and sex... It made a night and day different in how I viewed myself and the situation.
I saw that I could "go back in there" with the ex who had created a hell for me, or go on and get what's normal out there in any descent relationship.
It made closure and helped me to get off of a hopeless situation which was not changing.
