Grace, Grit & Sarcasm

One thing I never expected to be doing in my 50s is trying to date.

I’ve been mostly single since my 30s, and the longest relationship I’ve had since then…well, let’s just say that story deserves a blog post all by itself.

Now that all of my children are adults, I decided it might be time to dip my toes back into the dating pool. I made it in up to my knees, and now I’m safely back at ankle depth.

The funny thing is, I’m not looking for some fairy-tale romance. I’d be thrilled with companionship. Someone to take a day trip with, wander through a flea market, grab dinner, or catch a movie. Someone who believes friendship is a pretty good place to start.

Instead, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been asked for naked pictures.

Gentlemen…I’m over 50. Menopause has happened. Wrinkles have appeared. Gravity has done what gravity does. I’m short, fluffy, and have earned every stretch mark I’ve got. I’m fairly certain there isn’t an OnlyFans category labeled “Middle-Aged Woman Who’d Rather Go Antiquing.”

And then there’s another trend I didn’t see coming. An alarming number of men my age seem to be missing one important piece of adult life—a car, a home, or a steady income.

I’m not looking for perfection. I’m certainly not perfect myself. But after working hard to build a life I’m proud of, I’m not looking for someone I need to financially support or rescue.

I have a career I enjoy, a home, a vehicle, a sense of humor, and enough life experience to know what I want. And I’d like to think I’m not so unattractive that I make babies cry.

So tell me…how are the other single women over 50 surviving the dating pool? Is anyone actually swimming, or are the rest of you back floating right alongside me?