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worried it will never happen again for me now

100 replies

GoldCube · 26/10/2026 12:36

i really miss sex it’s been 10 years since i’ve actually had any. i’m only what i would call “young” to be living a sexless life (just turned 38 a week ago) im at the point where im starting to think it will never happen again now. being a lone parent meant i got absolutely zero time for myself meaning i was unable to date for many years, now they are older but they still don’t really leave the house or go anywhere and i never wanted to sneak someone in whilst they were at school (nothing against casual sex but it just isn’t for me) im at the point where i feel like it will never happen again now. i don’t trust men, im worried about sleeping with someone and being ghosted after, i don’t think i would be able to cope with that after going so long without, i hear so many stories of that and i just puts me off, i wish i had a decent male friend or ex that i trust that i could suggest the idea to but sadly there is no one! im now starting to think it will never happen again because my lack of trust in men i really wish i hadn’t left it so long. is there something wrong with me? has anyone ever felt this way?

OP posts:
moderate · 26/10/2026 14:19

If you rule out all ways of meeting men you could establish trust with before the question of sex arises, then you are left with only the things you are concerned about.

Make your choice!

GoldCube · 26/10/2026 14:22

im not ruling it out i just dont want to pretend to be into a hobby im not to meet a man.

OP posts:
Thatsthebottomline · 26/10/2026 18:05

Itll be 20 years for me next month and I haven't even had a date in 8 years. What the point in wondering if it'll ever happen again ? No point.

moderate · 26/10/2026 18:17

GoldCube · 26/10/2026 14:22

im not ruling it out i just dont want to pretend to be into a hobby im not to meet a man.

Having zero hobbies may count against you in the dating stakes. Is there really nothing you could take an interest in?

Catza · 26/10/2026 20:24

GoldCube · 26/10/2026 12:59

not really wasted 10 years as when they were little i couldn’t date anyway as they didn’t see their father so dating was not an option, my point is now it’s been so long i have build up walls and barriers that are hard to simply just break down now, i know a lot of men are awful users especially online dating i hear of women sleeping with men all the time just to be ghosted or blocked after.

You hear it all the time because those of us who meet our long-term partners on OLD aren't starting threads goading about it. It's selection bias.
Ultimately, you need to decide what it is you want. If you want a relationship, you need to find time to go on dates. Sleeping with men who ghost you is an irrelevant issue because you are not actually required to have sex with them at all while you are getting to know them. If you do happen to come across someone who ghosts you, so what? It's only relevant if you develop feelings for them. Otherwise - thank you for showing your true colours early. Next!
If you want sex, on the other hand, but not the dating stage that it requires (with some false starts along the way), then you need to come to terms that you are looking for a casual relationship even though you say you don't.
If you don't know what it is you are looking for and don't feel ready to let your guard down, it's a non starter in which case it is quite possible that it won't happen for you.
Everything is in your hands, OP.

BackJustToSay · 26/10/2026 20:42

I was also completely celibate for almost 8 years, and very untrusting of men, having had some terrible experiences. I have recently started dating again, on the apps, and while yes there are some guys who aren't great out there, my eyes have also been opened to what is possible. This year I had a lovely if fairly brief relationship which did not work out but which did make me realize I was actually capable of letting myself feel again and allowing someone into my life. The fact it didn't ultimately work out did hurt a bit but I am glad I did it.

So I also think to an extent you have to just take the plunge - the first guy you meet may well not be the right one, but it will start you on a journey and get easier.

GoldCube · 26/10/2026 20:47

moderate · 26/10/2026 18:17

Having zero hobbies may count against you in the dating stakes. Is there really nothing you could take an interest in?

not groups, i think thats more of a mumsnet thing if im honest i dont know anyone irl my age that goes to hobby groups if im totally honest like reading club or whatever or walking groups

OP posts:
GoldCube · 26/10/2026 20:52

BackJustToSay · 26/10/2026 20:42

I was also completely celibate for almost 8 years, and very untrusting of men, having had some terrible experiences. I have recently started dating again, on the apps, and while yes there are some guys who aren't great out there, my eyes have also been opened to what is possible. This year I had a lovely if fairly brief relationship which did not work out but which did make me realize I was actually capable of letting myself feel again and allowing someone into my life. The fact it didn't ultimately work out did hurt a bit but I am glad I did it.

So I also think to an extent you have to just take the plunge - the first guy you meet may well not be the right one, but it will start you on a journey and get easier.

thats really nice to hear from someone in a similar situation i havent met many people in the same situation most people i know just get back out there straight away

OP posts:
Catza · 26/10/2026 20:54

GoldCube · 26/10/2026 20:47

not groups, i think thats more of a mumsnet thing if im honest i dont know anyone irl my age that goes to hobby groups if im totally honest like reading club or whatever or walking groups

I don't think it's a MN things at all. Literally everyone I know does some kind of a social hobby - wild swimming, crossfit, weightlifting club, lindy hop, choir, orchestra, pole dancing (thin on men there), evening art classes, cycling club, park run, monthly cinema club - just some of my friend's hobbies. And they are all from different walks of life and different income brackets. It's a thing.
There must be something you are interested in, surely.

GoldCube · 26/10/2026 21:01

Catza · 26/10/2026 20:54

I don't think it's a MN things at all. Literally everyone I know does some kind of a social hobby - wild swimming, crossfit, weightlifting club, lindy hop, choir, orchestra, pole dancing (thin on men there), evening art classes, cycling club, park run, monthly cinema club - just some of my friend's hobbies. And they are all from different walks of life and different income brackets. It's a thing.
There must be something you are interested in, surely.

i dont know anyone my age who does any of those things just my social circle maybe (just something i hear on mumsnet is what i mean but dont know anyone irl that attends organised hobbies)

OP posts:
PeppyMintCat · 26/10/2026 21:02

@GreengrocersApostrophe never read anything as disgusting and cringey as your comment about never ending sea of i can't even say it.

moderate · 26/10/2026 22:35

GoldCube · 26/10/2026 21:01

i dont know anyone my age who does any of those things just my social circle maybe (just something i hear on mumsnet is what i mean but dont know anyone irl that attends organised hobbies)

Edited

Okay, but sticking to what your existing social circle does(n't do) isn't working for you, because here you are on Mumsnet telling us you have no male friends.

Your attitude reminds me of the Parable of the Drowning Man.

JackdawRoost · 27/10/2026 09:15

PeppyMintCat · 26/10/2026 21:02

@GreengrocersApostrophe never read anything as disgusting and cringey as your comment about never ending sea of i can't even say it.

50% ish of the population have one 😚

FouDeFafa · 27/10/2026 09:26

PeppyMintCat · 26/10/2026 21:02

@GreengrocersApostrophe never read anything as disgusting and cringey as your comment about never ending sea of i can't even say it.

Ah come on now, it was a funny and encouraging post. Plus if you can’t even say cock then I suggest you might like to unclench a little. Would a sea of penises be more acceptable? (Penii?)

Busybeemumm · 27/10/2026 09:33

GoldCube · 26/10/2026 21:01

i dont know anyone my age who does any of those things just my social circle maybe (just something i hear on mumsnet is what i mean but dont know anyone irl that attends organised hobbies)

Edited

Break free of your social circle and create a new one. Lots of people go to hobbies- most people I know. Look at short courses at your local college. Try glass blowing or flower arranging or try a yoga class. Just about anything.

Put getting into a relationship on the back burner for now and work on yourself and your self worth first. When you do eventually find your person, you will be more rounded and resilient and able to carve out time for yourself.

60degreecycle · 27/10/2026 09:43

PeppyMintCat · 26/10/2026 21:02

@GreengrocersApostrophe never read anything as disgusting and cringey as your comment about never ending sea of i can't even say it.

A never ending sea of Winky? Willy? Solider? Any better?

The point is, that it is out there, should you wish to get involved. Nothing in this life comes with a guarantee, and the best way to protect yourself against the poor behaviour you fear OP is to fully know who you are, and what you will and won't accept and learn to recognise bad behaviour at the first fence and move away from it, not towards.

I know OP doesn't want casual sex but bemoaning the fact that she's never going to have sex again, with a man, whom she claims not to trust, is tying herself in a knot somewhat.

1983Louise · 27/10/2026 09:44

PeppyMintCat · 26/10/2026 21:02

@GreengrocersApostrophe never read anything as disgusting and cringey as your comment about never ending sea of i can't even say it.

I thought it was funny, good job we're all different 😁

Mondayname28 · 27/10/2026 09:48

Busybeemumm · 27/10/2026 09:33

Break free of your social circle and create a new one. Lots of people go to hobbies- most people I know. Look at short courses at your local college. Try glass blowing or flower arranging or try a yoga class. Just about anything.

Put getting into a relationship on the back burner for now and work on yourself and your self worth first. When you do eventually find your person, you will be more rounded and resilient and able to carve out time for yourself.

This!

Razzb · 27/10/2026 10:05

I was celibate for a while.
Met now boyfriend through a hobby.
I'm much older than you.
Nobody is perfect but there are good men out there.
For transparency, I wasn't looking for anybody when my relationship began - he chased me.
Confidence, it seems, is sexy?

secretrocker · 27/10/2026 10:32

What a contrast to another thread on this board which is full of women saying they haven't had sex for years and don't miss it.
Shows we're all different.
Hobby/sports groups is kind of ideal but if you don't do any of those things you can't force it.
Do you have female friends? Can you let them know you're single and looking.
Word can get around, they might leap into match making mode, I know my sister and her friends all pulled together for one of her divorced friends and they all had a think about single men they knew and put her in touch with some men for dates.

JackdawRoost · 27/10/2026 10:48

60degreecycle · 27/10/2026 09:43

A never ending sea of Winky? Willy? Solider? Any better?

The point is, that it is out there, should you wish to get involved. Nothing in this life comes with a guarantee, and the best way to protect yourself against the poor behaviour you fear OP is to fully know who you are, and what you will and won't accept and learn to recognise bad behaviour at the first fence and move away from it, not towards.

I know OP doesn't want casual sex but bemoaning the fact that she's never going to have sex again, with a man, whom she claims not to trust, is tying herself in a knot somewhat.

This is what I meant with my original comment op, that getting over the first hurdle may just lead to the commitment and happiness type thing, sorry I didn't make it clearer ❤️ You deserve love! I bet you're great. Someone will see that, but you have to take the risks to get the prize sometimes.

GoldCube · 27/10/2026 10:49

secretrocker · 27/10/2026 10:32

What a contrast to another thread on this board which is full of women saying they haven't had sex for years and don't miss it.
Shows we're all different.
Hobby/sports groups is kind of ideal but if you don't do any of those things you can't force it.
Do you have female friends? Can you let them know you're single and looking.
Word can get around, they might leap into match making mode, I know my sister and her friends all pulled together for one of her divorced friends and they all had a think about single men they knew and put her in touch with some men for dates.

well i didnt miss it for the first 5-7 years, i was busy raising my children and didnt really even have time to think about it but im only in my 30s am i never suppose to want sex again? lol another mumsnet thing i think where everyone is asexual

OP posts:
GoldCube · 27/10/2026 10:51

we could go back and forth with the hobbies thing but i think people are forgetting ive spent the last decade raising children alone , i did not even have any free time to go to hobbies or classes because i had no one to look after my children, it meant finding hobbies i could do at home in the evenings,

OP posts:
HorseandHeron · 27/10/2026 11:08

Your OP suggests you are ready to change circumstances. They were right for you while DC were younger, they aren't now. But for circumstances to change, you'll need to alter how you think about men and your chances of meeting someone.

I think mindset has a huge impact on how our lives develop. The two beliefs I would challenge if I were in your situation are: 'I am worried it will never happen again for me' and 'I don't trust men.' Work on changing that to, 'I have faith it will happen, now I am ready,' and 'I don't have to trust all men, but I am willing to trust a good man.' Then work out what you want from a man - what are the absolute essentials - and what you refuse to tolerate.

When you are really clear in your mind that it can happen and that you are ready to meet a good man, get yourself out there. Maybe OLD - with caution, as there seem to be so many chancers there just looking for sex. Just start doing things that matter to do so you meet like-minded men. That could be fitness - running, swimming, weights, yoga; campaigning for something you care about; studying for a new skill; performing music, dance or drama, making art or craft. Every single person I know who found love later in life met their man while pursuing some interest they were passionate about. I know later life romances that have flourished, which began in an orchestra, a choir, at a dance retreat, at a creative writing workshop, a photography class, and some at work in vocational jobs.

You say DC don't get out in the evenings. But that doesn;t mean you need to stay in every night if they are teens. One evening commitment a week, and maybe one at weekends is perfectly acceptable, and might encourage them to do more too.

Vinvertebrate · 27/10/2026 11:19

Give it 10 years and you won't even care if you never have sex again. I'd rather have a nice cup of tea.

(Obviously, men are available at any age if that is what you want). 😊

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