I am just disgusted that people (and it seems moreso women) seem to be disposable after they get to a certain age, AND that that seems to be socially acceptable by most other people! And yeah I'm at an age where I could go a little younger than me too, but, I mean...have you met younger men these days?! lol... It seems my window may be somewhat narrow and expire quickly!
This is why I'm still really scared and totally not ready to date again, either. Even if I get some play, I'm always going to be terrified from here on out that I'm just going to get "thrown away" again once a few more years do go by. I used to think those scenarios were not the majority, but after this experience and hearing from so many other people (both here and IRL), I am starting to think the real love is actually the exception.
There will ALWAYS be someone younger and prettier and all the things, at some point. I just want an old-fashioned love that lasts forever where we both have so much value for each other that nothing could replace that. And I want that for everyone here too!! Anyway, feel free to continue other replies to this on my thread if it's not something Steve wants to continue deliberating
(((TJT)))
Speaking of disposability, I’ve feel more than a little used by W—always kinda felt like I was a stepping stone to her, and now that I helped her focus on her career and gave her 2 kids....see ya.
Even though my thoughts have gone to life after wife, and I’ve given much thought (probably moreso than I should, tbh) to other women down the road, the thought of dating again does terrify me at least a little bit. I’m sure that younger men probably don’t have it together, but I’m wondering the same about women in my age range, too.
I do understand your fear of being ‘thrown away’ again later down the road....I would be terrified too of someone else using me up and tossing me aside, as well. I just hope that I’m more discerning down the road. I’m also sure that real love is the exceptional, and in that sense it is ‘exceptional,’ and I hope we all find it.
I always know that there will be someone younger, more attractive, whatever....for whoever I’m with, but also the temptation waits for me, too, and I’ll have to be on my guard. But if it’s someone I can click with emotionally and spiritually, as well as physically, that will go a very very long way.
Probably like you, I want something / someone that is more old-fashioned and traditional, and all I want is to be valued by who I’m with. I just want to be valued, loved, and taken care of; and to do the same for her, like I’ve tried (imperfectly) to do for W. Loved for who I am....not who I could be, or loved only to a point. Where we make sacrifices for each other—not to keep score, but to seek the good of each other and our relationship.
