Finally Realizing I’m Single Again

It does take a while for the fact to sink in that you are actually single again after being married for seven years. That old adage about the “seven-year itch” always seems to haunt you. I was separated for months by now. I had immersed myself in work, exercising, and time with my son and my parents. Keeping yourself distracted plays a huge role in giving your mind time to adapt to your new lifestyle and the fact that you’re single again. I can’t emphasize how being around a supportive family on a regular basis is worth more than 1,000 sessions with a psychiatrist.

I can’t pinpoint exactly when it occurred, but it finally sunk in one day that I am single and free to begin dating again. I guess being married and a parent for that many years establishes a mindset that doesn’t open your brain up to playing the field. I had been talking to one of my single cousins off and on who helped me tremendously with support and just airing out the whole experience.

He had brought up the idea of going to some local singles dances run by Dick Syatt. With the divorce rate on the rise, there was a segment of people who are newly single, maybe parents as well, who were in the “no man’s land” of the dating world. I include myself in that category. We were too old to be attending the Boston bar scene that catered to the college crowd and 20 somethings. I would definitely feel out of place there not to mention the fact that that crowd could not relate to the point I was at in my life. On the other side, I didn’t exactly fit into the other scene involving the smoke-filled bars where the 50 and 60 ish crowds gathered to discuss their retirement plans and grandchildren.

So, this particular Dick Syatt dance circuit seemed to be filling that gap where the 30 and 40-ish singles could congregate and meet someone more compatible with themselves. I finally broke down and agreed to attend one of these dances with my cousin and see what it meant to be “out there” again.