Family told me to hold off until I heal. Problem is, we are all 'works in progress' that desire affection. When I started dating my new guy, I always had one foot out the door and he waited patiently while I dealt with one load of baggage at a time. While I was dealing with my stuff, I discovered he had is own stuff and the slow pace worked great for both of us. It was 4.5 years before we finally moved in together and that is just fine. Forget the traditional 'meet, marry and live happily every after'. That concept is rare anyways. You are individual and unique and so are many potential partners out there and a match is very possible. Go out and show your smile and baggage or not, you have courage because you have made it this far and that is what the new person will see.