The Mid Life Dating Files 2025

Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

26 Years, a Divorce, and the Audacity of Modern Men

I’ve had many phases in my 54 years around the sun.

Some were cute.

Some were questionable.

Some should’ve come with a warning label.

But the one that deserves its own documentary series?

My 26-year marriage.

Yes. Twenty-six years. That’s not a relationship — that’s a career. That’s tenure. That’s a full pension plan without the pension.

I got married at 20. TWENTY.

At 20, your brain isn’t even fully developed. I didn’t even know what kind of coffee I liked, but sure — let’s commit to forever.

And listen — it wasn’t all bad. It gave me two incredible children, a whole lot of life lessons, and enough character development to qualify me for a trilogy.

But saying goodbye to 26 years? That’s not just packing boxes. That’s untangling identities. That’s looking in the mirror and saying, “Okay girl… who are you now?”

It was hard. It was painful. It was necessary in more ways than a hundred.

And then…

They Released Me Back Into the Wild

After 26 years of marriage, I re-entered the dating world.

And let me tell you.

This is NOT the 90s.

Back then you dated. You went out. You defined the relationship.

Now?

Now we have “situationships.”

Now we have “vibes.”

Now we have men in their 40s and 50s saying they’re “not ready.”

Sir.

Ready for what? You’ve had 50 years to prepare.

I have never in my life seen so many emotionally unavailable men walking around using therapy words like they’re part of a personality.

“I’m just protecting my energy.”

“I don’t want labels.”

“I’m working on myself.”

Translation: I want girlfriend benefits with no boyfriend responsibilities.

The audacity is Olympic level.

If my heart had a security system before, now it has a concrete Berlin Wall around it, motion sensors, spiritual holy water sprinklers, and a guard tower.

Access denied.

Dating has made me question everything.

It has also made me deeply appreciate:

My quiet house My drama-free life My remote control that nobody touches And the absolute luxury of not arguing about what’s for dinner

Here’s the Plot Twist

I don’t hate being alone.

I love my peace.

Divorce taught me I can survive hard things.

Dating taught me that peace is priceless.

And here’s what I gained:

Standards.

Discernment.

And a zero tolerance policy for nonsense.

Do I want to find my person? Of course.

But he’s going to have to come correct. Emotionally available. Self-aware. Ready. Stable. Grown.

Because I am no longer in my “fix him” era.

I am in my “protect my peace and drink my coffee in silence” era.

If love shows up healthy and whole? Beautiful.

If not?

I will be just fine over here — thriving, unbothered, and very much allergic to foolishness.

And that, my friends, is a phase I am absolutely NOT saying goodbye to.