DATING AFTER 40

Dating after 40 can be a rollercoaster ride. Literally. It's the phase of life where you're navigating the complexities of love, companionship, and self-discovery. You're in search of someone to share your space and energy with but bring too much to the table to settle lackluster.

As someone who has experienced the joys and pitfalls of dating after 40, I can attest that it's both exhilarating and nerve wrecking at the same damn time. Half the time I feel as though there is piss in the swimming water and I refuse to get my bundles wet and dirty; however, the other part of the time I'm optimistic about dating world. No different than the opposite sex. I'm sure there is a man out there craving to find a woman that doesn't have on lashes as long as caterpillars, twelve pounds of makeup caked on their face or a head piece by day and corn rolls at night. (ha, ha, ha) I'm not laughing at you ladies. I'm laughing with you because I'm guilty of a few of those charges from time to time. The whole point is everyone has preferences. Too often we crucify individuals for having preferences that may exclude the masses which is unfair. Preference is defined as "a greater liking for one alternative over another or others."

We should embrace people who are honest about their preferences. It allows for people to avoid wasting each other's time, a commodity that is all too often taken for granted. Kissing a few frogs in order to get to your king or queen may be unavoidable; however, being clear and concise could definitely shorten the line. Love is like a business in the aspect that you need a blueprint and plan in order to stay on track. If you don't know what you want, how can you expect potentials to rise up to the challenge? For example, if you know your biological clock is screaming louder than the tinnitus in your ears, please stop wasting time with individuals that have made it clear they don't want children in hopes of changing their mind. Vice versa.

We all carry baggage—emotional scars, trust issues, and past disappointments. In your 40s, that baggage carousel is much heavier. Divorces, heartbreaks, and life experiences pile up. You're not just dating a person; you're dating their history. Unpacking that baggage requires patience, empathy, and vulnerability.

Dating after 40 isn't for the faint-hearted. It's a journey through smoke-filled memories and ticking clocks. But it's also a chance to rewrite your story, to find love that transcends age and defies expectations. So, my fellow readers, brace yourselves—the adventures await, but so does the possibility of a love that's worth every scar.

So, let's get into the raw, unfiltered truths of dating in this age group. Any advice or comments? List them in the chat and let's talk about it!