Finding my way into the light

[Holding]

Don, V, kml, and C'Nut, thanks for the thoughtful responses on OLD. This gave me a lot to think about.

There is no way I'd ever take XW back. If she appeared as a crying heap on my porch, she'd get my pity and disgust. My trust in her is completely gone. The cruelty and manipulation has been unbearable. Just this morning when dropping off S11, she called me an @sshole right in front of him. That bridge has been burned and reduced to dust.

Yesterday I met up with a friend who's going through a D (I've tried to steer him to this site). He told me he was doing OLD and went on a date with someone he met. (Not something I would do personally until D, but anyway...) He had a great time, but he realized he couldn't go any farther because he might ruin his chances of saving his M. This got me thinking too.

Last night I created a Tinder profile and entered the world of OLD.

I know I'm not ready for anything serious. But I want to be able to go on a date. I want to meet an attractive woman and have a conversation. I want physical affection. I have to take a step into my new world, and this is the step I'm taking.