Should I attempt dating again?

[CognitiveDissonance]

I've been single for a loooong time. One significant relationship in the last 10 years and even that didn't last for very long.
After I had DD (aged 7 and not the product of the significant relationship) I did a lot of work on myself. Lots of looking in to myself and spent a fair bit of time being happily single. I'm now mid 30s, very secure in the person I am, very clear in what I want out of life, still doing some work on myself but utterly lonely.
The trouble is, I have horrible luck with dating. Not so much bad dates, more a lack of them. I just don't seem have that many people interested in me. I know some of it is just the nature of OLD and the nature of living in a big city but I find it disheartening and frustrating so I've shied away from it the past couple of years.
I suppose my dilemma is, if I don't OLD, I'm not actively making effort to end my perpetual singledom. I've got a good social life, I mix in different circles including those linked to an interest/hobby but still no luck.
I just hate the way OLD makes me feel with the relentless disappointment but if I don't keep trying, I guess I'll just be stuck.
I'm at "that age" with lots of marriage and babies happening, I feel unwanted and left behind as a result. It's quite embarrassing when I think of the past 10 years and how much the lives of people that I know have evolved in that area and my story is just the same always. I'm just wary of trying again because it's such hard bloody work.

Try several OLD sites, I'm yet to try myself feeling nervous for when I do as after been in a relationship for 15yrs and at 44 it's not like it used to be where you'd go out and maybe meet someone but now my mates are married it's a whole new ball game.

Single ten years and at 53 don’t fancy old one bit ...don’t know what the answer is

Dip your toe in by registering on an OLD site.
See OLD thread for tips, advice etc.
Don't message too many times b4 meeting.Meet for a daytime coffee in safe public area etc.

@Justaordinarybloke tell me about it, definitely a whole new ball game when so many in your circle are already coupled up!

@comingintomyown If I find the answers, I'll gladly share them with you 

@MikeUniformMike thanks for the tips. I often lurk on the dating threads but I never have anything to contribute since I never seem to have any dates!

I will bite the bullet and set up a profile later this eve I think. What are the best sites/apps to use? I'm loathed to try POF again. Not too keen on Tinder but I may have to give it a go again. I've tried Hinge before, maybe that's a way to go too.

OLD is tough at times, but you've got to be in it to win it :)

A lot of the single people I know have tried it at some point, and two of my friends have married people they met on Tinder so it works for some. But others have found it hard work, and in my own experience it can be demoralising and stressful at times - you do need to develop a thick skin and not take it personally when someone you're talking to just disappears, or stops talking to you.

Despite it's reputation as a hook-up site, Tinder still seems to be the most popular and in my own experience people in the mid 30's to 40's age range are mostly looking to date and meet potential partners.

Bumble is slightly different in that women have to message men first if you match, so the ball is entirely in their court.

Happy is also worth trying as it's location based - although quite freaky when it suggests someone you've walked past 20 times in the last month!