Lifegoes I'd definitely be up for a dating thread night out. I totally empathise with the whole 'feeling low' vibe that it going around at the moment. I am an independent woman with a good job, two grown up kids, a lovely house and yet I still struggle to find someone to treat me well. I seem to attract losers and idiots! I know that says something about me and I have been actively dating guys who I would not normally look at, and picking up red flags earlier than I would usually have done, mainly thanks to the support on this thread.
I am seeing the guy I met last weekend for a date this weekend, and we have been texting regularly all week. I don't know why I haven't given him a name yet, but for some reason I just can't think of one. He is a sweetheart, but totally not my normal type. Nice enough looking but quite overweight and not a smooth talker, but witty and intelligent. He lives a fair distance away but luckily enough no country lanes are involved and we could reach each other by train, although we both have cars. There are a number of boxes that he does not tick, but they are not red flags, they are just 'rules' that I have invented (e.g. he rents a place, rather than owns it, and he has a dog). I have no idea whether it will work out between us but I have decided to give it a go and see what happens.
I have been trying to put myself into a more positive mindset, by going to exhibitions and events on my own, and not worrying so much about being single, but it is hard work. I think it has paid off, but I do have to keep reminding myself to do it, or I tend to slip back into a more negative mindset.