Long short story. I got with my ex at 22yo and got divorced about two years ago after 16 years relationship. I spent one year dealing with the aftermath and then I started dabbling into the dating world.

At first I was clueless. Have no idea what I was doing. Dating aps did fuck all. Approaching IRL? What the fuck does that even mean?

After a shitload of frustration, I started investigating. Like I assume everyone else here, watched ton of videos of dating coaches, infields, read forums and took notes.

At some point, reading theory just does nothing no more and you need to go out there and put it into practice.

I am still pretty far away to where I want to be but I can notice progress. I get some matches on OLD. If I put time and effort, I can even get some dates. I still feel anxious when approaching women when I go out, but I force myself to do it. Still did not get anything out of it most of the time, but feels way better than ending the night not approaching anyone and going home feeling like a loser.

I am short, my finances are in shambles due to divorce and high COL where I live, and my social circle is small. Still I have some things going for me. I can definitely hold a convo and I am a funny and witty guy. I look way younger than 40, most people puts me in late twenties or early thirties, so I can get away with going places with youngsters and not look like the old cringe guy. This is going to go away eventually, so I have to take advantge of it while I can.

I am rambling so where I want to go is, if I can do it so can you. I see so many posts here and on reddit of people asking if it's over because they never got a girlfriend in their 20s or shit like that. Nobody cares, get to work. No one but you is gonna provide what you want from life.