Women over 50-How to Handle Being Single and Alone for the First Time –after 50

I am now involved in a wonderful relationship with a man I love and adore (who I met at an online dating site!) but do you know what most terrifies me about it? The idea of giving up my “Single Status.” You are probably thinking, “Is she nuts?” Nope, I’m not. I love being with a guy but I also love playing in life as a single women.

After separating, I remember my first night alone like it was yesterday. For the first time ever, I got to flip a light on in my bedroom. I was able to turn the television to any volume or channel I wanted. And, I didn’t have to shield my little book light from the other side of the bed worrying I’d wake him up. Now, I could turn a 3-way lamp on to its brightest setting without bothering a soul. Yahoo. This was real liberation!

Immediately, I took over the second closet declaring winter and summer closet space for my clothes. I no longer had to cram all my clothes and shoes into a single closet where nothing could be found and everything got wrinkled. Nope, I could actually spread my wings and I even had peek a boo spaces between my blouses and pants.

If I didn’t feel like cooking, I didn’t have to. And for sure, I didn’t have to go to the trouble of making a time consuming meal only to hear: “I had that for lunch.” Now, I could eat anytime I wanted and have any food I wanted.

I could watch my favorite shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Brothers and Sisters” without having to channel surf at every commercial. I never could figure out what men saw as they quickly scanned programs. My personal opinion was it wasn’t about the television; it was about their control over its contents. Now I was in control. Wow!

I took a good look around my home and I made it more “ME.” We’d had very different tastes ranging from his love of metallic angles to mine of softness and comfort. Guess how my house is now? Anything sharp or cold is gone. It’s all cozy and comfortable and I love coming home and sinking into my favorite chair to read a book. Being single, I found my own style and I didn’t need anyone else's approval or agreement to implement it.

If you find yourself single whether it’s from the end of a marriage or the end of a long-term relationship, I know it’s hard and I know it takes time to find new routines. Try and enjoy the things you always wanted to do but couldn’t up to now. See how you can enjoy this gift of time getting reacquainted with you. You’ll heal your wounds and find yourself, which will make you more even desirable to the opposite sex when you are ready to get back out there and date again.