Over 40 and divorced

It’s been almost two years since my divorce and apparently, it worries my friends. I had no suitor since and I don’t believe I’m ready for one right now either, even if sometimes I miss having someone with who I can do activities. Having friends is great, but since they are all in a couple, they are not always free when I am. For some time now, I feel like they want to set me up as soon as possible, as if being single was something unhealthy or abnormal. I know many people my age are afraid of being alone, of being bored to death and or afraid to never find the "Shoe that Fits", but I never thought that the fact that I am single would make others uncomfortable for me.

During a boozy evening among friends, they asked me – or should I say - they signed me up on a dating site and challenged me to stay on it at least one week. Of course, they all know a couple or two who have met online and now live happily together. Personally, I'm old-fashioned. I know that more and more people meet online, but I still hesitated, because I prefer to meet the traditional way. In short, once the challenge extended, I’m not the one to back out, so I played the game.

Oh brother, are there ever some weird people on there!

It’s no last hour discovery I’m sure, but when there is such a collection of “special” individual in the same place, it almost caught me off guard!

• Pictures - oh lord! Be warned; men don’t know how to take pictures! They often take pictures where we can clearly see that there was someone else. Or the photos are so dated, it's not even funny.

• Profiles - there is nothing written, or it's simply boring enumeration of their activities.

• The first contact - a simple "hi / hello" or "you're cute". Wow, that original!

• Exchanges - often much too short, they are all eager to meet face to face. Wo "Jack" it’s not a race! And if you mention that you prefer to keep the exchanges online for a little while before you meet ... poof! They disappear! It must be a sentence that deletes people?!

I was there for the challenge, so pretty much had no interest, I deleted almost all the messages except for a few, but in the end, none were really interesting nor by photo nor by discussion.

In short, the week ended, I was finally free to delete my account, which I hastened to do. I don’t regret the experience, but if feel like you want to give it a shot, arm yourself with patience!

In conclusion, I am still single and I still think that nothing beats the real deal (face to face). If you are looking for friendship, and even love, sign up for an activity you enjoy. It’s a step in the right direction; that is to say, those who will be there at least an interest similar to yours and bonus, it makes you step outside of your house, which helps a lot when we want to meet people.

By Jasmine Beausoleil