I'm so sorry you've had such bad luck with partners! I obviously don't have the best history, either, but I wanted to share that the same month I finally decided that I was happy alone, that at the age of 53 (and since you have a 9 year old D I assume you are nowhere near that age) I didn't need or even want a partner, that I looked forward to a happy future that included lots of hobbies and passions that are my own, GAL with girlfriends, and an increasing number of cats - a person turned up that has been the best potential partner for me so far in my life.
Without going into a lot of detail, I am convinced that there was an intervention that put him in my path. I resisted for months and wanted only friendship, but it became overwhelmingly clear that we are extraordinarily well suited for each other. I have been able to pursue sides of myself that I could not with any partner before, and the dynamic between us is different than either of us have experienced before.
So don't despair - but focus on yourself and your own life, pursue your passions and see if you attract the right man.
Thanks Painter. Your new relationship sounds incredible and I've been following along with you and you have made some very brave moves to go about and live your own life.
I am 36 years old. My ex left when I was 27. So, I haven't quite got to the point where I have been prepared to live the rest of my life without a partner. Although I did go through the essential processes of being a lone for some time, discovering who I am, do things that interest me, ect. I have a very full life I joined a gym that is like a family and I go 5 days a week. We hang out, we just signed up to do a race. I've vacationed with friends. I took my D9 to Disney, just the two of us and it was amazing. She said her favorite part of that trip was spending all that time with me having fun.I am back in school for over a year now bridging my RN to BSN. I will be done this year There was probably a time of about 2 years where I wanted nothing to do with dating. This two years came at a time I was comfortable with myself, not just trying to survive the horror.
So, as depressed as I sound, I live. I go forward. I don't think there has been one point in this process that I laid in bed depressed. Not even from bomb drop. I had an infant. So, I've got that going for me. I'm just going to keep putting one foot in front of another and hope what is meant for me will find me. Just like you!
