I’m 58, been divorced for 6 years. I grew up in a traditional roles family and my ex and I had the same dynamic for the 30 years we were married. I’ve never had to cook for myself before and it seemed too daunting so I eat out a lot, eat simple things at home like soup and sandwiches, microwave meals, etc.

Since I retired early and bought a house, I’ve been slowly building up the tools for cooking, appliances and such. I bought the ingredients for a stew and for making cornbread, unpacked the slow cooker and it’s been simmering for about 7 hours. I’ve never baked anything in my life but the cornbread came out perfect.

I’m cooking! When I embraced the possibility that I might be single for the rest of my life, it gave me peace and opened the doors to the realization that I can be living a great life now without a woman in my life. I haven’t given up hope for finding a partner but for now…. I’mma eat!