Is She Really Going Out with Him?

Technology is a motif that Cousens uses to develop The Challenges of Navigating Life After Divorce. Though technology can be a helpful tool, it can also be a source of emotional distress, especially in relationships, careers, and self-perception. Anna’s post-divorce experience with social media and online dating highlights the challenges of living in a digitally connected world. As Anna reenters the dating pool, she reluctantly tries dating apps, which feel foreign and impersonal. The swiping culture makes her question whether one can form meaningful connections when people are judged primarily by appearance. Cousens critiques the superficiality of online dating, where first impressions are often based on edited photos and carefully crafted bios when Kelly says, “[…] everyone lies online […]” (30). Anna vacillates between feeling hopeful and disillusioned as she tries to meet someone genuine in a digital environment that often feels transactional.

Scrolling through social media further amplifies Anna’s insecurities as she is bombarded with carefully curated images of happiness, particularly those of her ex-husband, Dan, and his much younger girlfriend, Sylvie. Seeing their “perfect” lives online makes Anna feel inadequate, fueling her resentment, distorting her reality, and making her feel like she is falling behind.