I’m starting year eight without my wife of 25 years. All I can say from my own experiences, your journey is your journey. For me there is no one size fits all blueprint and I can’t fully apply what works or doesn’t work for someone else to my situation.

I’ve been discouraged by the outcomes of some relationships but I’ve also been encouraged. I’ve met interesting people along the way and found joy in differences. I’m a wandering pilgrim on a journey. I find that it can be as exciting as it can be lonely and disappointing.

Good luck, and try to look forward to the next relationship and what it might reveal.

Sorry about your breakup. Ive been ghosted twice and zombied twice (by the same guys). No second chances. Yet i remain optimitic but cautious. Replacing a 30+ year relationship (in my case) takes time. I don't think there are any short cuts to building trust. Be kind to yourself.

That happened to me last summer after over three years of cohabitation, so I feel your pain. It was only my second effort at dating after my wife's death in 2010, but it ended so unpleasantly that I really think it will be my last effort ever. At the age of 72, I find that peace of mind is more important than intimate relationships, and that's what I get on the road trips I've resumed taking. Yeah, it gets lonely on the road sometimes, but it beats being bitched at the whole way.

I'm sorry to read about your relationship going south. Unfortunately, it does happen as I can attest to. I've decided to take more time to think about whether I even want to try again. I hope you can come to some positive place in life, and get back out there if you so choose. Best of luck to you.

you gotta keep looking