Sarah Louise Ryan - Dating & Relationship Expert

07/07/2026

I romanticize EVERYTHING and create joy in the small moments. Why?

Not in a "life is perfect" kind of way. Quite the opposite. I work with clients in psychological, relational and dating distress around finding and keeping love.

The work can be tricky and tender.

We learn to love through trial and error and most of us don't always 'get it right'.

Back in June, during the hottest week of the year, I spent five days training in an attic in 35-degree heat. Long days. Overflowing notebooks. A few stretching-my-comfort-zone tears (from me!) Deep conversations about relationships. And eating soooo many biscuits.

And honestly? I loved it.

I'm so passionate about understanding how we find love, build love, and keep love that I'm in training to deliver Getting the Love You Want workshops across the UK alongside my Imago Relationship Therapy peers.

Every hour spent learning deepens not only my own understanding but also the support I can offer my matchmaking clients. The more I understand the patterns that shape our relationships, the better I can help people attract - and sustain - the love they deserve.

But here's what I've learnt about myself...

I don't wait until the work is over to enjoy it.

I romanticize the whole experience. On this training I loved

✨ Dinner and ice-cold glasses of w**e with peers after intense days of learning.
✨ Spending time with peers I respect & cherish.
✨ Co-creating a 630am run club to move our bodies and start the day right
✨ Wearing bright colours to spark a little joy in the room.
✨ Laughing and putting the world of loving relationships to 'rights'.
✨ Finding connection in every conversation.
✨ And yes... eating more biscuits than a McVitie's factory could probably produce in a day.

I've stopped believing that joy belongs at the finish line, I love joy in the small moments.

Joy belongs in the process.

When we choose to notice the connection, the purpose, the laughter and the tiny moments that make us feel alive, even the hottest attic becomes somewhere you're grateful to be.

I feel incredibly lucky that my work allows me to keep learning, to keep growing, and ultimately to help more people understand themselves, their relationships, and how to create the love they deserve.

Maybe that's what romanticizing life really is.

Not pretending everything is perfect.

Just refusing to let the meaningful moments pass by unnoticed.

What have you been romanticizing lately? ❤️ I hope it's EVERYTHING.

03/07/2026

🌿 Does the thought of commitment make you want to run… or leave you constantly questioning your relationships?

Fear of commitment isn't always about not wanting love. More often, it's about the nervous system trying to protect us from vulnerability, rejection, loss, or repeating painful experiences. Modern dating can amplify these fears, making it difficult to know whether we're protecting ourselves or holding ourselves back.

In my latest blog, I explore commitment phobia through a psychological lens and share how understanding why we pull away is the first step towards building healthier, more secure relationships.

🌿 7 key takeaways from the blog:

🌿 1. Commitment fears are usually about protection, not a lack of love. Your brain is often trying to keep you emotionally safe, even when it costs you connection.

🌿 2. Your attachment style matters. Early relational experiences can shape how safe—or unsafe—commitment feels in adulthood.

🌿 3. Modern dating can intensify avoidance. Endless choice, dating apps, and the fear of making the "wrong" decision can keep us stuck in uncertainty.

🌿 4. Vulnerability is the gateway to intimacy. Healthy relationships require us to be seen, even when it feels uncomfortable.

🌿 5. Emotional safety comes before lasting commitment. Trust is built through consistent, secure experiences—not grand gestures.

🌿 6. Awareness breaks patterns. Understanding your relational history helps you respond consciously rather than react from old wounds.

🌿 7. Healing is possible. Whether you're single or partnered, developing secure ways of relating can transform your dating life and relationships.

✨ If you've ever wondered why commitment feels difficult—or why you keep attracting emotionally unavailable partners—this blog is for you.

I'd love to hear your thoughts after you've read it.

💚 Read the full blog, link in comments

12/06/2026

A few weeks ago, I was headhunted by the 📺 producers of one of the biggest dating shows in the world to become their newest expert TV host 📺 🇦🇺

The opportunity would have required a near-immediate move from the UK to Sydney ✈️

In the end, the role wasn’t meant to be.

And honestly, that’s okay.

Because what stayed with me wasn’t the disappointment. It was the realisation of just how far I’ve come.

As women, we’re often encouraged to stay humble, soften our ambition, and downplay our achievements. We’re taught that being quietly proud is acceptable, but openly celebrating ourselves can make others uncomfortable.

But I believe it’s important to acknowledge the moments that matter.

And this was one of them.

This conversation also didn’t happen in isolation. It was the third conversation I’ve had with a production company this year about bringing my expertise to television.

At some point, you have to stop calling it luck and recognise it for what it is: the result of years of commitment to your craft.

For me, that’s been 15 years of dedication, sacrifice, and continual investment in my work. More than £80,000 invested in my training, qualifications, education and professional development, alongside countless hours helping people heal, find hope, and create secure love. (Not to mention the sleepless nights 💤 with imposter syndrome)

As Brené Brown says, it’s about being “in the arena.”

And now I realise that I am.

This experience reminded me that growth isn’t always measured by the opportunities we receive. Sometimes it’s revealed by the opportunities we’re considered for.

Not every door is meant to open. Some arrive simply to show us how far we’ve come.

So while this particular chapter wasn’t mine to write, I’m walking away feeling incredibly grateful, deeply encouraged, and excited for what’s ahead.

09/06/2026

Looking for love offline, away from the apps & AI in 2026? I’ve got you 🫶

In my latest blog, I share 10 ways to create more opportunities for meaningful connection away from the apps:

🌿 Be open to meeting people everywhere

🌿 Say yes to invitations

🌿 Join communities aligned with your interests

🌿 Become a regular in places you enjoy

🌿 Expand your social circle

🌿 Attend events and experiences

🌿 Start more conversations

🌿 Put your phone away and be present

🌿 Focus on connection over perfection

🌿 Stay consistent and trust the process

Love isn’t just found online. Sometimes it’s waiting in the everyday moments, places and conversations we often overlook.✨

If you’re ready to date more intentionally and create opportunities for genuine connection, read the full blog on my website.

🌿 www.sarahlouiseryan.com

08/06/2026

What if one of the biggest influences on your happiness wasn’t your career, income, or achievements — but the quality of your closest relationship?

Research consistently shows that healthy, supportive relationships contribute to greater wellbeing, lower stress, better physical health, and increased resilience.

In my work as a relationship therapist, I often see that when couples improve their connection, positive changes ripple into other areas of life too — confidence, parenting, work, friendships, and overall wellbeing.

A thriving relationship doesn’t happen by accident. It requires attention, understanding, and intentional effort.

Because improving a relationship isn’t just about improving a relationship. It’s often about improving a life.

If you’re feeling stuck in recurring patterns, struggling with communication, or wanting to strengthen your connection, relationship therapy can provide a valuable starting point.

27/05/2026

When we abandon ourselves in dating, we silence our needs in the hope of being chosen.

We over-accommodate, over-wait, over-explain - and slowly disconnect from our own inner voice.

But healthy love doesn’t require self-erasure.

In truth, it creates safety for honesty, curiosity, repair, and emotional presence.

The right connection won’t ask you to become smaller to keep it.

Real intimacy is built when you feel able to speak, need, feel, and still remain loved.

Your needs are not “too much.” They’re longings for your future self 🤍

19/05/2026

🎙️ on air 🎙️

Spent the morning chatting on BBC talking about the rise in spending for dating coaching, relational wellness and professional matchmaking services.

I’m offering real talk today - no airs and graces and no soft edges. Singles want change so here’s what I have to say about the modern struggles to date.

In the era of heteropessimistic singles I told them in Lehman’s terms to step away from Pilates and Padel from time to time and to go down the pub and be willing to approach / be approached.

Singles have forgotten how to date. And, it’s not just because of photos of men with fishing gear and women with filters it’s deeper than that…

Men fear rejection and so they don’t approach, mainly because organic approach is frowned upon these days (post me too movement) and socially men have forgotten what to do (the debris from pandemic isolation)

Women want men to know they don’t need them, but they tell me as a matchmaker and relational psychotherapist they they DO want them - but they energy they put out is that they don’t.

So singles sit on apps and look busy swiping but don’t do much dating.

The pubs stay empty and singles are staying single.

Matchmakers / Dating Coaches / Relationship Therapists incoming ❤️‍🩹

Here’s what I help people do:

🌿 Get curious about what they want

🌿 Get clear on the kind of relationship they want to build

🌿 Open up their heart and mind to give and receive love

🌿 Show them their conflict and comms styles

🌿 Heal hurts to move forward and get connected

🌿 Align to the right kinds of people

🌿 Get offline, get connected IRL

12/05/2026

Let’s talk about men & their mental and relational health 🤍

This meaningful conversation with Photis of Emotional Equity had a focus on understanding how he helps men heal after divorce AND unpacked all the layers of divorce and the experience of it through the male lens.

I could say a million things about how this divorce coach helps so many great men who have little support on a societal, social, emotional, practical and communal level.

I see alot of great men suffer and often think about those who may be suffering in silence though shifts in identity, life changes, loss and loss of love.

There’s so much shame, guilt and minimising of men and their experiences. We started a path to reframing and eradicating that shame so men can access services like that of Photis.

This is a straight talking conversation between a woman who is an advocate for men with an incredible hetero'normative' man who helps men heal and pave the way forward.

We cut out the fluffy language often used by spiritual guides and life coaches and went straight into straight talk.

Available on Youtube & Apple Podcasts.

Much Love,
Sarah Lou 🫶

Host Sarah Louise Ryan interviews Photis of Emotional Equity, a London-based divorce coach who helps men around the world navigate the emotional fallout of s...

15/04/2026

Have you met the lovely Cate? 🤍

Lots of you have but some of you may been wondering who’s behind the search, selection, strategy and connections.

Cate is our dating strategist - helping people get clear on what they want in love and in life. Sometimes we need a clear path forward, someone to help us cut through the noise and make decisions with clarity, precision and empowerment - Cate does that for our gorgeous clients.

If you’re looking to get clear on your ideal match or want to explore what it looks like to work with us so we can find your person with you and for you - book in a call with Cate.

Cate is calm, considered, methodical and a blooming brilliant asset to our matchmaking team.

She can’t wait to meet you 🫶

Much Love,
Sarah & Team LCG x

14/04/2026

The face of a matchmaker who has been considering individuals searching for love in Hong Kong, Cotes D’zure, London, Cyprus & The Netherlands for her community of gorgeous singles 🌍 🤍

Meanwhile when the matchmaking team are busy at work I’ve been getting under the hood of connection with my individual and couples therapy clients in my private practice. It’s a busy week for self love and romantic love ♥️

Modern Dating & Relating is harder when the world is in chaos. My team and I support anchoring as a calm in all of the storm.

In my job, no two days are the same and I love it.

This week we also have conversations with brands, media and also with BBC News for a weekend headline feature.

Eeek - busy love hub bees 🐝 🍯 🤍

S xx