Ran into an old work colleague this morning for coffee. When I worked with her, she was getting divorced from her low-earning husband who recently had to be hospitalized due to a mental breakdown. Before I left, she would go on and on about how "liberating" and "empowering" getting divorced was.....5 years later, she made partner at a major law firm, but is absolutely miserable. Health issues galore, and bitter as fuck.

I (correctly) assumed she asked me to coffee because she heard of my recent divorce and was fishing. She asked me if I had started dating again. I told her flat-out that I was done with relationships and just living for myself, trying to be a good dad, and maximizing personal enjoyment. She asked if I got lonely. I said, nope, I have a dog who keeps me company and my kids love spending time with me. She said what about intimacy. I said that is not really high on my priority list anymore, candle not worth the flame, and there are always lots of college girls on tinder who are looking for a fancy dinner.

She got really pissed and wanted to know why I wasn't interested in people my own age. I said because most women my own age are either bitter or looking for a long term relationship. She then tried to recruit me back to my old job and offerred to make it "worth my while both financially and otherwise..between old friends" I politely declined and said I am done chasing money and girls and would rather just work my middle-class job, ride my mountain bike, and spend time with my kids.

She got so pissed and made some comments about men being "lazy" and not wanting to "man up", etc. etc....at which point I left.