I have to say all my dates are younger and one is much younger than me. We will see how it goes. I guess I present better IRL than before
Vanilla, that was my experience too! All but ONE of my dates after my divorce ended up being younger than me (the first guy I dated was 2 years older). Some were actually WAY too young but we still had fun and remain friends.
As for the original question of when is too soon to date - it's too soon to date if you would go back to your ex if they turned up on your doorstep tomorrow all apologetic. You need to be sure you are DONE as otherwise it's not fair to the new person.
That being said, when someone reaches this point is highly variable and a lot depends on what has gone on before. I started dating just 3 months after my ex moved out - BUT - I had successfully DB'd him several years before, we had reconciled and had several good years, then he went off the deep end again and I realized that there was NO WAY I would ever trust him again after a third infidelity. I knew that I would never take him back again and I had plenty of peace in my heart that I had done everything possible for our marriage over the years. I don't regret it - in fact, the new guy I dated was really healing for me and I still have great fondness for him. (We broke up after a year because his childhood sweetheart, the love of his life, came back into the picture - since they are still together 8 years later I really can't be mad at him for that. We are still good friends.)
