Dating While Healing: A Conversation with Donna Vo Sotomayor on Boundaries, Self-Love & Real Connection
In a world that romanticizes the idea of “finding your person,” few conversations hold space for the reality of healing while still learning to love. But wellness advocate and speaker Donna Vo Sotomayor is here to challenge that narrative—with honesty, softness, and wisdom.
About Donna Vo Sotomayor
Donna is a speaker, advocate, and gentle voice in the wellness and personal development space. With a background in emotional healing and community empowerment, she uses her platform to encourage deeper self-connection, boundary-setting, and loving boldly from a place of wholeness.
Recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Donna for a deeply needed conversation titled “Dating While Healing: Nurturing Yourself in Relationships.” What followed was an unfiltered, thoughtful dialogue about what it really means to date when you’re still putting the pieces of yourself back together.
👉 Watch the full interview here:
Why This Conversation Matters
Many of us enter relationships with unresolved wounds—old heartbreaks, trust issues, or pieces of ourselves we’re still rediscovering. And yet, there’s little guidance on how to navigate dating during those delicate, transformative periods. That’s where Donna comes in. With lived experience and a grounded, compassionate voice, she brings insight to a conversation that so many avoid.
“Healing is not a finish line you cross before you’re ‘ready’ to date. It’s a continuous journey—and dating can either support that or disrupt it,” Donna shares.
Dating After Healing: What Does It Really Look Like?
One of the most eye-opening parts of our talk was exploring how different dating feels after personal growth. Donna doesn’t sugarcoat the process—it’s not about being “fixed,” but rather, being more aware. She describes healthy dating not as perfection, but as presence: showing up with honesty, managing your triggers, and giving yourself permission to walk away from situations that don’t honor your peace.
Boundaries Aren’t Walls—They’re Protection
Donna made one point crystal clear: boundaries are not barriers—they are bridges to better connection. During our conversation, she offered practical advice on how to establish and communicate boundaries without fear or guilt. Whether it’s knowing when to say “no,” honoring your need for space, or recognizing when something feels off, boundaries become the language of self-worth.
“If you have to abandon yourself to love someone, it’s not love. It’s a performance,” she adds.
Red Flags, Green Flags & Trusting Your Gut
We dove into the signs to look for when dating while healing. For Donna, red flags aren’t always loud; sometimes they’re quiet. A subtle dismissal of your feelings, inconsistency, or emotional unavailability can be just as harmful as overt toxicity. But she also reminds us to watch for green flags—consistency, clear communication, and the feeling of safety.
The Balance Between Self-Love and Romantic Love
Perhaps one of the most touching moments was Donna’s reflection on the dance between self-love and being open to another person. “It’s okay to desire connection and protect your energy,” she says. “You don’t need to be ‘fully healed’ to be worthy of love—but you do need to be self-aware.”
Her advice to those afraid of losing themselves in a relationship? Keep choosing yourself every day—even while holding space for someone else.
Final Words for the Healing Heart
As the conversation came to a close, Donna left listeners with this gentle reminder:
“Dating while healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about grace. Grace for yourself, grace for others, and grace for the messy, beautiful process of growing through love.”
💬 Final Thoughts
This conversation wasn’t just about dating—it was about coming home to yourself while allowing someone else to knock gently on the door. Whether you’re newly single, deep in your healing era, or simply curious about what healthy love looks like, Donna’s insight offers both comfort and clarity.
🎥 Watch the full conversation now:
https://youtu.be/pydO-1KleyI
