Let’s talk about dating. Thankfully I am out of the dating game but had my share of ups and downs before I met my best friend and husband. Personally I have always dated younger guys, when I say younger I mean 5, 6 , 7 years, nothing weird! I did kind of date a 19-year old when I was 29, it was more hanging out listening to music and driving him around in my car than actual dating and cute though he was, the novelty wore off.
I think I dated two guys my age or older and both were less than fun times. I have more in common with younger guys, my husband is a few years younger and it’s totally cool, even when he laughs that I know lyrics to songs he’s never heard of.
I say, date who you want (as long as it’s legal!!) we’re a long time on this earth, spend it with someone special, irrespective of their age, gender, race or religion.
I’ve also always preferred a more ‘petite’ guy. Women who say “I want a big hunk of a man to protect me”..really…I can protect myself quite nicely thank you very much, oh and I’d like to see your ‘big hunk’ of a guy take on the likes of 5′ 5″ boxing champion Amir Khan. Ok, I see the point made by tall ladies, but to pick a guy because he ‘makes you feel safe’, well, each to their own.
For me, it’s all about respect, having fun together and loving each other’s company, no point marrying a guy because he’s rich, tall and hot (let’s face it, how many of those are there around) if you don’t enjoy being with him.
Dating as you get older, definitely becomes harder, there’s usually more baggage, often by way of ex-partners, children, or simply being so set in their ways they find it hard to adapt to sharing things in life.
With our lives busier than ever before, traditional dating is being replaced by online dating. I have never tried it but know people who have, with mixed success.
If you are single, enjoy it! Accept those dinner party invites, despite the fact you may be the only single person there, far from feeling left out, you will find you are the centre of attention, the mystery woman, people will want to know your story, tell them as much or as little as you like but do enjoy the spotlight. Over the years I spent numerous Christmases, birthdays, Valentines and other holidays on my own and found myself to be great company and never had to fight over the last mince pie!
The most important thing for me, is to learn to enjoy your own company, don’t just rely on a partner to make life good, do things that you enjoy doing by yourself and don’t forget the importance of friends, despite being totally ‘loved up’ make time to keep in touch with friends, you never know when you will need them, or they you.
Don’t be in a relationship for the sake of it, nothing good will come of staying with someone out of convenience, it will never make you happy and we all deserve happiness.