Ready to date, can't use OLD

[AmaiyaGrace1]

I can't use OLD due to abusive ex and can't remember/think how to date again. Feel like I'm ready but not sure how to meet men? I don't see people at work as working from home at the moment, and even if I change to customer service type I would be in a fairly female dominated industry so not much opportunities. How did you meet your OH? Tia x

I think that idea that you have to stop dating for years or until your kids leave home is ridiculous. We all are screwed up in different ways so some may benefit of staying single forever after a traumatic experience some others are strong and ready for another relationship and that is fine and healthy.

Besides... do people who suggest that do even know how very difficult is to find the right person when you are older? The pool of available and suitable candidates keeps getting smaller and smaller as you age. So I would say, use your youth years wisely, they do not come back and believe me, happy mothers make better mums. You really cannot parent in a balanced way when you are feeling totally constrained. It may sound a bit daunting to start again but I would say the key is to start increasing your social circle until the right person shows around or your friends provide enough warmth and companionship so a partner is an addition to your life rather than the centre of it.

@crustycrab

No. I have name changed

@IdiotInDisguise

I made my ex the centre of my life and he ruined absolutely everything good in it for a time. I wouldn't want to do that. I know now how valuable all those things are. But I also know that I will not get younger or have more energy or more time to date, I will just get older and more tired and have less time to date and end up spending so long alone I don't know what the warning signs are anymore. I don't want to dive straight in, but I do think I'm ready to dip my toe in