What's stopping you dating again?

[RuhRohRaggy]

For me it's the fear of getting to the "let's meet your friends" stage and having no one to introduce them to.

Men I fancy don't fancy me which isn't good for self esteem.

I don't trust my judgement.
I have been in such awful abusive relationships I feel free and happier now.

Sad to think that this is it and it's very unlikely I'll meet someone lovely to spend my life with but life has been full of disappointments so I shouldn't be surprised.

@Sugarmole I feel the same way. Incredibly sad how things have worked out. Almost everyone I know are in successful LTRs or marriages but it doesn’t look like something I can do. I’m maybe just not cut out for a successful life long relationship.

I'm with my partner and have been 9 years. We are happy. He was in a horrific fire last year and nearly died. Is still receiving treatment 15 months later. I knew if he had died I would have stayed single. Got my dogs, my two grown up kids, my friends. Too old for all that OLD shit storm

It is funny when you own a house the guys that sometimes become interested. I was still trying to sort my head out after separating and I had 2 of my ex's police colleagues come around to ask me out. Both were in short term accommodation due to their own splits or failed ventures & were eager to let me know how they could help with my bills / DIY. Not sure what was more alluring to them me or the property! It becomes another thing that makes you wary particularly given the struggle to stay a home owner on my own and protect my sons home even when that meant I mainly lived off porridge, rice and cheap beans for a while.

Don’t really get why people feel the need to come into a thread like this telling us how happily married they are - it’s not really aimed at you is it? Or is it just some can’t resist a stealth boast?

And never say never. A few years ago I was in a long marriage - no one knows what’s round the corner and how you feel when life changes.

I love having sole possession of the remote control.

I have a massive bed all to myself.

Occasionally I wake myself up snoring.

Those OLD guys are not getting anymore attractive as they age.

I find most men of my age or thereabouts, needy, lazy and boring

I also don’t see why men feel the need to come onto this kind of thread to tell us all why they can’t be bothered with us. 🤣

It's a parents forum, not female only.

Just not ready, I have my own goals at present.

There's someone who quite likes me (he told me in 2020 - I am not a fast mover!) but he's 10 years younger and I haven't spoken to him enough.

There's someone my own age who takes care of my emotional needs, we're both single and chatter nearly every day so that'll do for now :)

I'd genuinely be really pleased if he met someone though. He's in Scotland and I'm in England so absolute no chance between us in that sense.

It's called mumsnet, not parentsnet

Mumsnet themselves have very clearly stated it is a forum for parents.

Oops - well I'm a woman but don't have children. I did join when I was thinking about it though.

It's pretty much just a fast moving, large chat forum though, isn't it?

That's us told then.

Considering the fact that it is called Mumsnet and has been around for many years and despite the fact that it is now open to all, I do think it was most likely originally aimed at mums. A forum for mums to get together and support one another.

However, as a woman I do feel that we are rarely allowed something good or fun or supportive that is just for us.

Throughout my entire life I have seen many clubs, organisations, activities, shops (barbers for instance), forums etc. exclusively for men. And it is considered normal and socially acceptable. It’s considered socially unacceptable for women to try and join in. In fact quite a lot of hostility, aggression and abusive behaviour is levelled at women trying to join in on something regarded as belonging to men. Including a large sector of highly paid jobs.

Why shouldn’t men be able to get together without women? Right?

So, why the fuck is it not ok for women? The very moment we get together and create something successful men tend to commandeer it. It’s like we can’t even have one thing that’s truly ours.

And this is just one of the many reasons why I choose to be single. And I love it. 💖

Men

@Anonplease2023
Was waiting for a smug married to comment

I can't seem to meet a man who wants an equal relationship. They all just want to be the star of the show.

Or they want a nurse with a purse

I noticed this A LOT too

Main issue is meeting nice men.

I haven't had even a good flirt in years; a couple of people, who I thought could be promising and who I thought showed a spark of interest, never actually came to the point of a snog, let alone a date.

I'm not going to try OLD, but I do a couple of sports (with high male participation) and go along to all sorts of events, and meet lots of people and have normal friendly interactions and get invited to more things, so I don't think I come across as desperate weirdo (hope not at least) but do wonder if I'm not sending our "available" signals (too long out of practice) or I'm just unattractive

Good job I'm OK with being unattached, but from time to time I do find myself wishing for the existence someone who really likes me (in a warmer sense than friendship)

Your right about the lack of conversational skills in women. I've noted that in the workplace too.

@tescocreditcard I thought about setting up a friend with someone as he's her type but decided not to as I didn't know how to say she's a millionairess!

Yep. It seems men my age want a maid/nurse to wipe their arse or they are players looking for no strings sex.

The pickings in the middle ground are very very slim indeed

What?

@ManAboutTown

As someone who is happy to chat away about any subject, I can assure you that the communication skill’s are lacking in many men.

Theres far too many I’ve come across who think lol is a conversation or that ‘nice tits love’ is the way to compliment a woman.

Honesty, the conversation levels I’ve encountered make my monosyllabic grunting teen seem like a raconteur.