I’m a 30 (M). I remember the time when the horrible RP ideas started making inroads into today’s society and the only thing that prevented me from falling into that was emorivia evidence. If the notion of women only going for the most attractive blokes was true, then you Wouldn’t find average males around you coupled up.

However, I have never had a girlfriend and I’m starting to fall into a pit not because I hate women, I hate the fact that I didn’t get to explore dating in my 20s where your average lad is at uni, still growing and manages to date around a bit. While many of these guys are indeed less mature, they’re at the same stage of life like your everyday girl and most of them turn out fine in their later age by finding a long partner they get on well with.

At my age, I feel very sad and intimidated. Intimidated because I feel embarrassed to try to experience something so basic at this age and sad because when I see younger couples being affectionate, it makes me feel that I didn’t get to be an imperfect person worthy of love when I was at that age in life. while I do not believe in settling for someone for the sake of it, I absolutely hate that 30s is higher stakes dating straight away. I dealt with an ADHD and depression diagnosis in my teenage and 20s and while therapy has helped in many ways, I’m confronted everyday with what I missed in my 20s and the ship has sailed.

I do not blame women for what happened and I am alright around then when it comes to interactions but I do report feeling emotionally closed off around them and I really don’t see a way out around it.