After dating for fiftyleven years, I find myself now reaching breaking points. I’ll put myself out there so much and open up and be completely honest. I don’t know how to be any other way really. I’ve gone on so many dates and dated people that were mediocre or straight up brutally awful but I still keep trying because I’m…hopeful? Curious? Stupid? A masochist? Who knows? Lately I’m feeling exhausted and skeptical and cautious and fucking over it.
“Love”. That’s the end goal right? Or is it? Is that what I want? Or do I need attention and entertainment? I’m content with the humor that comes from dating. I enjoy discovering the weird in everyone. It’s intriguing to me. Until it’s not. This year I had dates with 4 men in June and became exhausted. Until October. I went on dates with 5 more men in the fall. They broke me. I’m done. As I’ve discussed with many of my fellow single friends, we’ve reached our breaking point. This shit is NOT. WORTH. IT. Seriously…it’s so not worth it.
I’m perfectly capable of fucking up my own life. I’ve also met plenty of people who can assist me in that. I know that from years of experience. I’ve got my life together though. If I ever get in a relationship again, I want a companion who also has their shit in order. Someone on the same page. I need someone who has also lived and died a few times. Someone who has experienced all sorts of weird and fucked up stuff and survived to tell their tales. But also someone who can be completely transparent in communication. No secrets. No lies. No judgement and no bullshit. Someone who doesn’t have their mattress on the floor and someone who has hobbies and interests and education. Someone well-traveled and compassionate. Someone who makes me laugh but knows that I’m funnier than he is. Maybe also someone ridiculously good-looking. Tall, rich, ripped like Jesus and hung like a horse. I am NOT asking for too much!
I could also be completely happy staying single forever and occasionally taking loverrrs. (MeYOW!) I’ve never felt the need or strong desire to get married or have kids. I love my life as it is. I love doing whatever I want, with whomever I want. I don’t have to answer to anyone. I love kids but I love dogs and drinking wine so much more. I was MADE to be an auntie. The wild, eccentric one who is a little tipsy or maybe hungover. I always thought I’d be like Elizabeth Taylor or Zsa Zsa Gabor. A glamazon-type woman who marries and divorces as quickly as the wind changes course. Fuck that though. Sometimes I don’t feel like brushing my hair and marriage and divorce were not fun. 0 stars. 0 out of 10. Would not recommend. I did it once and I’m scarred for life.
Is “love” with a “soulmate” the real end goal here? Do we all believe in that? Or is procreating really everyone’s goal? This all sounds a bit outdated to me. I learned that during the pandemic and the insanity of Trump’s presidency and this insane election and the crazy divide in our country, along with the income inequality and racial injustice, climate change and THOUSANDS of other fucked up issues, I have less and less of a desire to “achieve” these things.
I also feel like many of my friends who are married or married with kids are unhappy more than they are happy. They resent their spouses. They resent their children. They resent their in-laws. They resent their single friends. They miss their freedom. They’re bored with the monotony of their life. I don’t want to feel that way.
I think they actually resent themselves for the decisions they have made. The grass is always greener… Some of their single friends are jealous of their lives though. A ton of them are. They crave the stable life and consistency. They desire the ring and 2.5 children. They want the financial security that often comes with having a partner.
These “taken” friends though. These “happily married with children” friends. These “friends” are also the first to spew their advice and judgment on their single friends. Listen here, Tiffany, the last person I want relationship advice from is the person who just chugged a full bottle of tequila while calling her husband a prick repeatedly, whining about not ever having sex, and feeling unheard and unappreciated, crying about being in love with her ex, being sick of digging Cheerios out of the couch cushions, wishing she had more time to herself and hating her post-baby body. I didn’t make your life decisions for you, so stop trying to make mine for me.
Bottom line: Stop taking advice you don’t want and stop giving advice that is not wanted. We all have our history which has led us on our path or journey to our future. You didn’t grow up like me and I didn’t grow up like you. Just because you wouldn’t make the same decisions someone else made, doesn’t mean they’re wrong. Just because we don’t all have the same goals in life, doesn’t mean any of them are wrong. I’ve said no to many marriage proposals, stood up in countless weddings, left a marriage and said goodbye after an engagement. I’ve also stayed too long in relationships and situationships. I’m more critical of myself and my decisions than you ever could be. It’s not your place to judge, just as it’s not my place to judge you. I’ll walk my path and you walk yours and I hope both are happy in the end.
Hoppin’ off my soapbox now to get back on my bullshit!!
Swiping My Life Away 