Wow - I must say, I haven't really had this experience. Maybe it's the men I pick?

Now as for this:
Quote
It was amazing to see the same people over and over - over the span of years.

I mean, I would have fit that - off and on over the course of ten years, but I was in relationships in between. The fact that those relationships didn't turn into a lifetime commitment doesn't mean that there was anything wrong with me - or even with them, usually. You wouldn't think it was odd if someone in their twenties was on and off a dating app, why is it different for us? Finding the right partner is a process and not everyone hits a home run the first time out.

As for the dating pool - I've dated since my divorce:
A handsome, smart, sexy restaurant owner - who was Love Avoidant and ended up being found by his high school sweetheart who he is still dating. We turned into a great friendship instead and I value his friendship. I credit him with helping to heal me after my divorce.

A couple sweet but inappropriately young men who are still friends.

A very handsome sexy exterminator who was Love Avoidant. I ended it pretty quickly (since I now knew what that was) but we stay friends too.

Another handsome sexy guy (I should probably go for less handsome men, these just kinda fell my way) who "didn't do relationships" who was a nice weekend "visit to the spa" as my friend called it. Stopped seeing him when I was dating others, but we also stayed in touch as friends until 3 years ago. Not sure what happened to him, hoping it wasn't something bad. No hurt feelings on my part as he was always very upfront about his Love Avoidance, which was refreshing.

Crazy ex-BF - we were together 5 years (the crazy didn't really become super visible until near the end).

CMM - still handsome but not an Adonis like some of the others - maybe that's why he's so loyal and into me? Honestly, I do NOT pick guys just for their looks (my exH was fit and had some boyish charm but not a really objectively handsome guy). I'm more impressed by brains and a sense of humor. We've been together 3 1/2 years.

Would I do OLD again? If I was interested in dating, yes. Will I be interested in dating in the future? Right now I'm doubting it - I feel a bit like I've had my fill of dating. I'm looking forward to my time being entirely my own again. I'm not going to find better sex than what I've had. I'd might be open to dating again in the future if the right person fell into my lap - someone who had their own place, their own life, who just wanted to come over on the weekends or go to concerts with me. But then, I was never really looking to remarry. I'd like a monogamous relationship but not one where we live together or share finances. Heck, if my friend who "didn't do relationships" hadn't fallen off the face of the earth, I'd be happy just to visit him for a weekend every couple of months. I think I've turned into the Love Avoidant.

Andrew - your town is TOO SMALL to be dating in. You definitely need to look outside - imagine if your last girlfriend still lived in town, how awkward that would be!