Romantic snowfalls. Cozy firesides. Hallmark Christmas movies. The holidays can be hard if you’re looking for (and not yet finding) love. So let me tell you some wild stories I’ve heard recently (to take your mind off the mistletoe).

Dating for the first time in midlife can lead to nutty stories, like the quest for an online overseas boyfriend, to tax fraud, to unexpected carjackings.

In episode 11, Nancy spills some tea on the hijinx that can ensue when stepping into the dating arena later in life.

After you pick your jaw off the floor, remember this: Finding love is a healing journey in itself, so don’t rush it or discount it just because you’ve got your eyes on the destination. The path is as enriching as the destination. Your search for love is a mirror, reflecting who you are and who you want to become. Be patient, embrace the commitment, and relish the self-discovery.

Nancy offers advice for navigating the holiday dating scene with an open heart. Don’t hide away because you’re single. Everyone you love is part of your love story, and that includes friends, kids, family. Look at this season as a start – here comes a new year with fresh possibilities.

[4:44] “Along the way I learned a lot about loving myself, the kind of relationship I wanted to manifest, how I wanted to show up. And that itself is a healing journey.”