In general when someone is laughing, smiling, having fun, and enjoying life that is more attractive than even the most attractive person looking miserable so I can see how that works. Also I can see how you'd go for someone that believes in themself and has qualities you admire. I personally don't think I could consider a relationship as more than friends with even the most confident man if I didn't feel a physical attraction although attraction is different for each person. You probably notice many beautiful and confident women but there are reasons why you'd choose certain ones over others right?
Sure, absolutely there has to be physical attraction and some spark for me to consider being beyond more than friends. But what I was saying is that I'd pick someone with confidence and admirable qualities over someone who is conventionally pretty but has no substance. If it was just about hooking up, substance doesn't matter. And then it's a different issue. But for example, I'd go for someone like Cate Blanchett over a younger woman who is still coming into her own as a person and doesn't have the confidence and knows herself well. I know Cate Blanchett is still somewhat conventionally attractive, but that's not why I'd date her. There is something about the way she holds herself and her confidence that would pull me in way more than her age or how she measures up against a 20 something year old. That 20 year old would have to have her $hit together for me to consider dating.
I know women are way more scrutinized as they age compared to men, but look at Helen Mirren. I would definitely be out of her dating zone, but hell I'd go out with her. As a man who is approaching his 40s, I have adapted my sense of style to my age and I don't try to dress like a 20 year old. I have a more classic look and I don't pretend to be young. I appreciate women who do the same.
Anyways, this got longer than I thought. You need to stop comparing yourself to the younger woman. I know it is hard but you need to do that
