There may be a lot of flames thrown his way from the Hamptons, but Southern Charm’s Craig Conover is focusing on “evolving into gratitude” after his breakup with Paige DeSorbo. The headlines following the Bravoleb couple’s winter split have been far from sweet tea. There’s been ample speculation over who broke up with who (Paige announced things were mutual but Craig later countered on WWHL that he felt blindsided) and who moved on first (rumors of prematurely abandoning the relationship have been flung against both parties by Reddit detectives, and more recently by Paige in the season 9 Summer House teaser).

Either way, it’s now crystal clear that Craig Conover is officially a free agent again, and right on time for trade season. But that doesn’t mean he’s forgetting his past to play the field. “Over a third of my life now has been filmed,” Craig told me while discussing his partnership with Ocean Casino and Resort in Atlantic City. And he’s grown exponentially in that time, especially over the last few years, a lot of which he attributes to his ex. “Paige was a huge part of that,” Craig said. “Now that we’re moving on, fortunately, we helped each other so much that I hope eventually I can share that positive message.”

Craig’s wholesome AF belief that “sometimes there’s some really good stuff that comes out of relationships that don’t last forever” is the type of better-not-bitter energy that will leave plenty of ladies asking what he’s looking for in his next chance at love. So, Betches got the answers you’re dying to know about Craig Conover’s future girlfriend and life after the Paige breakup.

Craig Conover’s Thoughts On Dating After Paige

Craig Conover’s Quotes On Marriage

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As seen on Southern Charm, Craig’s friends believed his goals of a white picket fence life with a wife were not exactly mutual with his last girlfriend. But is Craig intent on getting down on one knee any time soon? “I think for me the next person I talk to they have to be… in my mind, you don’t have to pick a wife or future partner or something. Just try to focus on, do you want to hang out with them today or do you want to hang out with them next week?”

Even though Craig doesn’t think it’s wise to “talk himself out of something” with someone new over worries of being “compatible over the next five years or…completely compatible to have a family” right away, he does note the importance of “obviously pay[ing] attention to signs.” Yep, that sounds about right!

Craig Conover On Moving On

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Even though he is open to getting back out there, Craig told Betches “It’s hard for me to not compare a future experience to what I’ve had, but I’m just figuring out everyone else.” Instead of stressing about making something happen immediately, Craig is focused on “keeping that positive outlook of what if it does work out or how much fun would this be if it does? There’s a lot of people out there. It’s going to work out. It does for everyone. Look around you. There’s so many people that are married and happy and stuff.”

So Craig isn’t declaring himself for the streets, but he’s not holing up in his newly renovated house, either. He thinks it’s wise to “go out with your friends and have fun.” Even if it’s not a date, “who knows who you’ll bump into.” Even though he knows it’s a bit cliché, Craig couldn’t help but add “you really will meet someone when you least expect it.”