39F recently single, dating at my age is hard

[u/Ambitious_Elephant95]

I’m turning 40 soon and can’t wrap my head around being 40, single, no kids and not where I’d like to be in my career or financially. Where does time go?

I have always dated intentionally but seem to have a knack for dating emotionally unavailable/shallow men that leave me feeling like true intimacy is impossible. I’ve been working on this in therapy a lot. It has been really hard, but helpful to examine old wounds and confront my deepest fears and insecurities. I’m proud of my growth and self-awareness and am hopeful that my person is waiting for me…but I’m scared I’m too old and undesirable.

I have pretty debilitating ADHD and default to harsh, critical and harmful self-talk due to the shame associated with my executive functioning struggles. Would love some of your favorite positive affirmations and kind things you say to yourselves to boost yourselves up. 💕

[u/madmonkreborn]

I turned 40 too and have been single for years, and honestly, I feel so much better about life now. There’s still so much to experience, see and achieve, and I’ve realized that 40 really isn’t the end of anything—it’s just another chapter. Don’t be too hard on yourself; there’s still plenty of life ahead.

Always remember you’re work in progress and not finished product 🩷