Opening up.

Bachelor Nation fans got to know and love Joan Vassos on Season 1 of “The Golden Bachelor,” and she’s been keeping fans updated with her life on social media since the show.

Now, Joan is stopping by for an exclusive chat with BachelorNation.com to look back on the experience and share what she’s looking for in the future.

Check out our full chat with Joan below!

Bachelor Nation: Joan, thank you so much for chatting with us! How has it been since “The Golden Bachelor” ended? Have you gotten any people sliding into your DMs for dates?

Joan Vassos: Of course, love you so much Bachelor Nation! That’s a hilarious question because actually, so many people have reached out, it’s overwhelming. I’ve been going viral on TikTok. How crazy is that? I have had people reach out from all over the place. The cutest thing I’ve gotten is daughters of men who are widowed and they want to set me up with their fathers, which is so darn sweet. My problem is, they are from all over the United States. I don’t necessarily want to have a long-distance relationship. I am based in Maryland, so I would probably date someone on the East Coast, but I have three grandchildren; two are brand new, as you know. I have my four kids on the East Coast too, so I’m not ready to move. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time and I would only want to start a relationship with someone that would be a good match. I really want to find someone that is within a couple hundred miles, a drive would be reasonable for me, but I still don’t know how to find that person. I am open to everything.

BN: That all makes a lot of sense and we know you’ll find that right person for you. Have you been getting recognized by Bachelor Nation fans since the show?

JV: Yes, I have gotten recognized, but not as often as you think! On some grocery store runs, I’ll take a few pictures here and there. It’s actually very fun and flattering when it happens! The best part about getting recognized is getting to connect with people who have similar stories or how seeing all of us girls on the show has opened them up to dating again. The invisible comment that I said and many of the other women echoed, so many people have connected with that feeling. I thought I was alone in feeling that way, but others are able to relate to that and have approached me to talk about it, which I love. So many have been closed to dating and now that they saw us doing it, they are more open to it too, and that makes me so happy.

BN: Love to hear that. And now that you’ve had this experience on “The Golden Bachelor,” what advice do you have for other singles out there?

JV: My advice would be to open yourself up and do something that scares you. Do something that frightens you every day. I went on that stage during the talent show and did that ridiculous poem and I was so scared, but it got me a date. So do something different or maybe a little scary that puts you out there because just hoping for love isn’t going to do it. You have to take action!