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On Aging Alone (2021)

thewalrus.ca

11–20 of 338 posts

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you think dating is off the menu? I know almost-40s that are actively dating. Maybe it's harder in certain areas? I could see this being an advantage of cities...

my tinder has been quiet for years. I’m looking for an attractive mate and I’m 1) not that attractive 2) fat 3) bald(ing) 4) old enough to be the father of those I consider 5) not rich or successful (yet) and worst of all if I got the pretty girl I wouldn't know what to do with her. I don’t want to be that guy. What I want is to go back in time to when I was young. I guess dating just wasn't in my lot. Everyone gets…

4) old enough to be the father of those I consider

Yeah this is the real problem. Sure everyone wants to date 20 year old models, but you have to be special to do this. You really would have a lot more than no success with people your own age.

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#12
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

my tinder has been quiet for years. I’m looking for an attractive mate and I’m 1) not that attractive 2) fat 3) bald(ing) 4) old enough to be the father of those I consider 5) not rich or successful (yet) and worst of all if I got the pretty girl I wouldn't know what to do with her. I don’t want to be that guy. What I want is to go back in time to when I was young. I guess dating just wasn't in my lot. Everyone gets…

4) old enough to be the father of those I consider Yeah this is the real problem. Sure everyone wants to date 20 year old models, but you have to be special to do this. You really would have a lot more than no success with people your own age.

An aside, but not everyone wants to date 20 year old models.

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you think dating is off the menu? I know almost-40s that are actively dating. Maybe it's harder in certain areas? I could see this being an advantage of cities...

my tinder has been quiet for years. I’m looking for an attractive mate and I’m 1) not that attractive 2) fat 3) bald(ing) 4) old enough to be the father of those I consider 5) not rich or successful (yet) and worst of all if I got the pretty girl I wouldn't know what to do with her. I don’t want to be that guy. What I want is to go back in time to when I was young. I guess dating just wasn't in my lot. Everyone gets…

Tinder is murder. I'm 39, male, tall, attractive, fit, educated, etc. in a small-midsized city and it's extremely, extremely, rare to get a match. Very occasionally (1-2x/year, in my experience) things progress to a date/hookup. If you really want to use apps, I'd suggest exploring others. I've had the most success (relatively) with Hinge.

I'd agree with sibling comment that meeting people out in the world can be a lot more fulfilling. You probably know within seconds if you're (physically) attracted to people in the world. Apps can be deceiving.

Keep in mind that in your list of five items, you can manage all of them. If you want it badly enough, you can change #2, and based on your comment I'd argue this (negative self-image) may be at the root here. #3 is not a problem if you don't let it be--plenty of Bic-ed bald guys with attractive mates out there. We are all doled the genes we must live with, but I bet many of the perceived issues with #1 and #3 will improve if you fix #2. None of the women I have dated have cared, at all, about the money I do or don't have (#5). I live in a backyard cottage. I drive a 20 year old car. And as for #4, I can tell you I had a no-strings-attached relationship with a 21 year old for several months last year. She worked at the farmers market, which is where we met. I don't mean to brag, but you need know that each of those items in your list really is in your control.

It's a grind and a slog and it's scary to have conversations with complete strangers. But if it's something you want, I tell you it is possible.

EDIT: I should also mention I'm no "natural". I was terrified of girls in high school, didn't kiss anyone until I halfway through college, was stuck in a loveless long-term relationship for a decade after college because I was sure no one else other than this one person would ever love me, etc. It took a lot of learning and healing to describe myself as I did in the first paragraph. If I could do it, you can do it.

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Couldn't you date someone attainable rather than staying single to keep a fantasy alive?

Sound logic but settling isn't my strong suit. Also I very much wanted children

I do not disagree with you. I’m in a happy relationship, but if I wasn’t I’d rather be single than settling with someone I wouldn’t find attractive just because they were “attainable”.

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you think dating is off the menu? I know almost-40s that are actively dating. Maybe it's harder in certain areas? I could see this being an advantage of cities...

my tinder has been quiet for years. I’m looking for an attractive mate and I’m 1) not that attractive 2) fat 3) bald(ing) 4) old enough to be the father of those I consider 5) not rich or successful (yet) and worst of all if I got the pretty girl I wouldn't know what to do with her. I don’t want to be that guy. What I want is to go back in time to when I was young. I guess dating just wasn't in my lot. Everyone gets…

No post body was provided.

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#16
My 2c.

Offer people something. Whatever it is. Fitness. Intelligence. Humor. Pick what you’re good at. And then find those who’d like it.

It’s not always about you, it’s about others. Age IMHO isn’t a barrier in this.

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#17
post #12
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

4) old enough to be the father of those I consider Yeah this is the real problem. Sure everyone wants to date 20 year old models, but you have to be special to do this. You really would have a lot more than no success with people your own age.

An aside, but not everyone wants to date 20 year old models.

as someone who has dated a 20 year old (I was in my early 30's at the time) and met many others her age through social situations... most 20 year olds are just kids still, something I felt at the time and moreso these days... my tastes though really heavily lean towards maturity, it was a weird coincidence we even got into a relationship

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#18
I am only half the author's age but, in my limited experience, the only thing worse than loneliness is the stifling weight of the impositions and compromises that come with virtually all relationships. The ones that offer enough in return to offset this weight make up the tiniest minority

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#19
post #16

My 2c. Offer people something. Whatever it is. Fitness. Intelligence. Humor. Pick what you’re good at. And then find those who’d like it. It’s not always about you, it’s about others. Age IMHO isn’t a barrier in this.

[deleted]

Re: On Aging Alone (2021)

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why do you think dating is off the menu? I know almost-40s that are actively dating. Maybe it's harder in certain areas? I could see this being an advantage of cities...

my tinder has been quiet for years. I’m looking for an attractive mate and I’m 1) not that attractive 2) fat 3) bald(ing) 4) old enough to be the father of those I consider 5) not rich or successful (yet) and worst of all if I got the pretty girl I wouldn't know what to do with her. I don’t want to be that guy. What I want is to go back in time to when I was young. I guess dating just wasn't in my lot. Everyone gets…

Get proper fit and shave your head.
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