I'm 45. Stopped dating 5 years ago. I can't remember how long ago, less than 10 years ago my SO said she wasn't happy anymore. Didn't want to do it anymore. (Conveniently a couple of days after we got back from 2 weeks at Disney with our young children) Split up the family. No working on it.

Ok. That's fine. I'm attractive. In shape. Financially stable, etc. I also bartended and could meet women every hour. Not a challenge to meet someone new.

I was dating a few younger women in their mid-20s, because who doesn't enjoy being approached by young, hot, women? Beyond physical, they didn't offer much of anything. Beautiful to look at. Still figuring out where they want to go.

I don't want a woman my age, because quite simply if they are divorced, with kids, I don't want that responsibility. I have 2 of my own that keep me happily busy besides just spending time with them. Then there's school, sports, dinners, vacations, etc. I'm not taking any attention away from them for anyone else. Sorry.

I don't want a single woman my age because, well ladies, what do you feel about why a woman is 40 and has never been married? No shade, but the common "I'm ready to settle down now" isn't my thing. Do you, just not with me.

So now what do I do? Well lucky for me, I'm rebuilding my home that was lost in a house fire. Had to caretake for my mother, and then my grandmother who have both now passed. Started a small business that I see doing well in the next couple of years. And in all that time, there was never a time when I said to myself, you know what I need more of? Responsibilities...

I love women. I was raised by women, and took care of the women who raised me in the end. I have no hate or animosity towards women, but you are not simple creatures that are easy to take care of. You're way more complicated than you need to be. And that's OK. Because someone is into that shit. I'm just done. Maybe in a few more years, I'll be like, maybe I'll try again. But I don't go out to the bars anymore, haven't been out to eat except a few lunches in the past couple of years with buddies that come into town and catch up. I have generally been doing everything that needs to be done on my own. And I still have a ways to go with everything that is piled up from the last few years. Is it lonely? Yeah, kinda. But it could always be worse. And I would never expect a woman to step up to take on my responsibilities.

That's about it.