I've often thought about dating/finding a partner when young vs later in life.
The car analogy seems to work for me. When in our late teens - early 20s, we are pretty much all like new cars in the showroom. We're factory fresh (no/low miles, no dents/dings, little/no baggage, etc.). We tend to be surrounded by similar types, as that what is found in our local car dealer's lot (e.g. neighborhood).
Later in life, we've started to diverge significantly. We're more like used cars. We've all got more miles on us -- but some have had easy, smooth highway miles and some have many miles on bumpy, unpaved roads. Some still have reasonably good bodies -- others are exhibiting many dents and dings, and sometimes evidence of not having minimum maintenance done and not being well cared-for. Initially, it's often hard to see what's under the hood -- but, over time, characteristics may become evident of difficult times, self-abuse, poor maintenance, etc. And now the baggage has started to accumulate -- some vehicles can fit everything into the back seat, yet others have overflowing trunks and are towing trailer-loads as well. At this point, there are a few vehicles are still never-titled -- but others may have been titled up to 3 or 4 times. Some vehicles show signs that their previous 'owners' may have been careless or neglectful. Also, at this point, many vehicles have been driven/relocated to other parts of the country, so they are no longer sitting among similar models.
I could go on and on.
I think this helps provide clarity in the increased complexity of finding a partner when older. And perhaps this analogy may give some insight to those who have been in a relationship forever.
omni
If somehow I was retired and on my own, I am sure I could "struggle and survive". There are a lot of lonely but very nice people in the world. I don't think its as difficult as people say.........
