The older I get the more I muddy the waters. Simply put, life is so ridiculously complicated. Even the things that should be easy—and at one time were easy are cluttered up with details. Take dating for example. I still consider myself kind of a newbie when it comes to dating. In today’s world, dating isn’t the carefree fun it used to be when I was a teenager. All the rules have changed.
Some of the complicating factors come from the simple fact that I am an <choke> older person now. Being older means that your life has much more stuff that has to be taken into consideration. I have children for example and my dating anyone isn’t necessarily going to be something they are ever going to like. I still walk on eggshells when I try to explain what I’m up to, and even the most amazing guy is “just a friend.” God forbid anyone should ever become more than that, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
Meeting men online has it’s own set of challenges. I’ve had dates with several guys I’ve met on various dating websites and can honestly say that there has not been one yet that truly lived up to his online persona. I don’t get the point of making yourself out to be better than life online. What could be worse than having your first impression be disappointing to someone? It seems to me that if you are just honest in your profile (including recent pictures, please) then at least you don’t have to dig yourself out of a big hole during dinner. I have seen way too many guys try to convince me as to why I should still like them even after they have lied to me and basically manipulated me into a first date. Some of them (sadly) were even married! It is a bit discouraging and I haven’t had a lot of luck so far. It hasn’t, however, stopped me from trying. The hopeless optimist in me persists.
On the bright side, like any savvy woman I still enjoy shopping for “date clothes”, buying sexy lingerie (that no one has really seen yet mind you) and the hopefulness in the dating process. And by the way, I have met some interesting people along the way (some I hope to never see again–but interesting nonetheless.) Although sometimes disappointments do come I still believe that one of these days, Mr. Right might just be a mouse click away. If things don’t work out, (usually the case these days) it’s always still okay. I come home, kick off my heels and soak it all off in a decadent bubble bath. Tomorrow is another day and I am still happy just being me. Xo J.
