Hah! Same exact deal with me. I told my parents and my therapist that I manage to present as “normal” and even “happy” to others (who are not close confidants) because I’m on meds and have acting experience.

And even in that case the messed up woman is messed up because of a man’s shittiness.

I am really not fond of the tactic of blaming women for the mistreatment they suffered at the hands/minds of men. It turns widespread, gendered patterns into, you guessed it!, women's own fault.

Damn this is making me wish I'd planned a trip abroad this fall rather than a road trip through the Mountain and Western U.S.! The only experience I have getting play in another country was with a dreamy Aussie in Sydney (*~*sigh*~*) and that was just making out.

I did say happy coupledom.

Men look like shit compared to women their age, too. But “men age better!” Hah, what a web of lies that is. But they still turn their noses up at their peers and think their balding, beer bellied, poorly dressed asses deserves a younger woman.

Try rereading my comment because you misinterpreted it.

I just discovered Sara Eckels; she is a very good antidote for that ubiquitous crap.

Why the hell is that? Divorced single parents seem to find it easy to get into new relationships and yet I know tons of awesome never-married women with no kids who can’t find boyfriends.

Look up Sara Eckel if you’re not already familiar with her.

No, because they are safely on the other side of it. Of course they feel like their life was enriched by it in some way because they now have their amazing boyfriend/husband. The rejection was a stepping stone on the way to Living Their Best Life, not the final nail in their love life’s coffin.

I guess that’s easy to say from the cocoon of happy coupledom.

Preach. Never in my wildest 20-something dreams did I expect to be so wound up into neurotic chilled knots as a 30-something, trying to walk the tightrope in just the right way that will make men want want me, not just on their terms, a fun hang, but really want me completely. It’s all a scam. I’m not chill. I’m warm…

Because I'm not interested in men who will only consider younger women, even if I fit the description.

Exactly. I am Team Massey on this one. Yeah, guys want it "slow and casual," except w/r/t sex, right? I learned my lesson about this kind of thing wayyyyyy later than most women. If you play it cool long enough, eventually he will realize he reciprocates your feelings/investment! BZZT, wrong. The last time he told me…

I often think about how much it would soothe me to have someone to hug when I get home from work every day. Or kiss when I leave in the morning. People who have those simple pleasures/comforts should not take them for granted. :-/

For me it's staring longingly at pics of when I studied in Australia. That was absolutely the prettiest year of my life and I feel like I let it all go to waste. I, too, am single in my 30s after being in a relationship during my "prime" and I get more decrepit every day. There is nothing 30-something men dislike (or…

Looking back at old pictures and realizing how effing cute I was and didn't put the attractiveness to good use when I had the chance is such a kick in the gut. :Cher voice: If I could turn back ti-iiiiime.

So sorry. May her memory be a blessing.

Hm, I'm thinking of those who are only interested until she reciprocates, at which point they start to rewind and deny.