Joan Vassos has been captivating Bachelor Nation on The Golden Bachelorette, openly sharing her thoughts on love, dating, and personal growth. As she navigates her season, Joan has also offered some valuable insights about dating later in life, speaking with US Weekly to outline the golden rules she’s been following on her journey to find love again.
1. Prioritize Yourself First
Joan’s first rule is to remember that dating should be about you, not your children or family. As a mother of four and grandmother of three, Joan was clear that she wanted to make dating a priority for herself this time around. “In the long run, it was my decision,” she said, emphasizing that finding love later in life is a personal journey that doesn’t need to be a family discussion.
2. Be Open to Falling in Love Again
After losing her husband, Joan experienced the challenge of learning how to fall in love again. She explained, “When you’ve been in a relationship for many years, you assume love is always there. When it’s gone, you question whether you can feel it again or how to go about it.” For Joan, embracing vulnerability and being open to the process of love has been crucial in finding a meaningful connection.
3. Date on Your Terms
Joan believes that dating should be done your way, and that philosophy influenced the unique dates on her season. For instance, she came up with the idea for a senior prom date and requested a cooking date. “Preparing a meal together is a great way to get to know someone,” she said, emphasizing the importance of personalizing the dating experience to fit your comfort and interests.
While Joan enjoyed these personalized moments, she admitted she had one unfulfilled wish: “I wanted to do the winery helicopter date. I’ve never been in a helicopter,” she confessed.
4. Stay Committed and Seek Help When Needed
Joan acknowledged that letting go of her late husband, John, was a significant emotional challenge during her journey. Seeking help from a psychiatrist played a vital role in helping her move forward. She encourages others to stick with the process and reach out for support if they’re struggling to navigate grief or emotional obstacles.
5. Allow Comparisons but Keep Boundaries
Joan admitted that, naturally, some of her suitors reminded her of John. She said, “I’ve had this feeling that I don’t feel as safe as I used to when John was alive. I thought, ‘[This Golden guy] is someone who could make me feel safe again.’” However, she advises setting boundaries, especially when it comes to expressing deep feelings. Joan made the decision not to say “I love you” too early, even if she felt it. “Things can change. I needed more time to ensure there were no red flags I hadn’t seen,” she shared.
6. Set Clear Intentions and Define the End Goal
Joan’s final golden rule is to establish intentions and goals early in the relationship. She knew from the start that she didn’t want to move away from her home in Maryland, and she communicated that clearly to her suitors. Joan believes that logistics, like location, shouldn’t be the reason for missing out on a great relationship. “When I have something great, my person could come be with me, and vice versa,” she said.
With these rules guiding her, Joan is navigating her journey on The Golden Bachelorette with purpose and confidence. Fans are excited to see how her story unfolds, and whether her golden rules lead her to a lasting love.
Catch The Golden Bachelorette every Wednesday at 8 p.m. on ABC or stream it later on Hulu!
