Before deciding what to do next in dating, it helps to understand where you actually are.

Once people understand the fear behind disclosure, the next natural question is: “So… when do I actually bring it up?”

Most daters ask this about things with emotional or practical significance.

Many daters hesitate before sharing something personal — divorce, kids, chronic illness, or anything with a complicated impact. We want to communicate openly and also protect the connection. This tension makes disclosure feel more daunting than it needs to be.

We hear a lot about emotional intelligence these days — but before you get to maturity or communication, it all starts with something simpler (and often overlooked): awareness.