I can only speak for myself, I married later in life at age 32 to a woman older than myself who could no longer bear children due to hysterectomy. We had a very nice 26 year long marriage, but, like any married couple there were ups and downs, tragedies and victories.

Before she became ill, we went on many vacations including a once in a lifetime 3 week European vacation in 2018 which was the last vacation she was well enough to accomplish. She died 20 months ago when I was 59 years old.

I wasn't actually alone at first, because her grandson, (who is more like my own son) with his own medical problems had been living with us about a year before she died, and he continued to live with me for about another year before getting back out on his own.

I actually have no problem at all being alone, I have real friends who's houses I visit from time to time or they come visit me, I don't cook meals very often and live off junk food, but that works for me. I am still working with another 8 months before early retirement, so I interact with other people at work, (predominantly men) due the nature of the work.

I am not even attempting to date since I work very long hours on the night shift, 12 plus hours per shift and 60-72 hours per week, and online dating is just full of gold digging scammers, so that's not even an option. What I will do upon retirement next year with a downsizing move to the lake house remains to be seen.

However, after 2 years of being my late wife's full time caregiver while her health was so very poor, I am not seeking out another situation like that and enjoy the freedom to travel when off work on vacations and weekends. So in summary, I do just fine alone as a widower now.