You've got a better perspective on life when you're in your 30s, but some truths might be harder to process than others. Getting older seems to take the fun out of dating, but perhaps acknowledging these truths will make it easier for you to wade through the dating pond. Why? Because you already know what to expect! The truth could hurt, but it can be liberating.
Men among your contemporaries will always be looking for younger partners. Even if you're only a few years older than the youngest person a man has ever dated, you're still older. It's an evolutionary thing, according to Science20.
However, the younger guys will consider you their holy grail. These are the 18 to 25-year old kids who think you're not old enough to be their moms, but you're still young enough to be regarded as hot and sexy. "Young men nowadays probably also recognize that older women are adept at diligently juggling so many responsibilities (career, children, housekeeping, fitness, finances, socializing), which makes them intriguing and attractive and a more secure option," according to psychologist Sam Owen via Huffington Post.
A lot of your single women friends are now married. You no longer have a "wing woman" to help you on dates and your group might be getting smaller and smaller for Ladies Night at the bar.
Also read: Dating: Top Tips For Successful Meet Ups
You're mostly going to meet men with baggage. The dating pool is also getting smaller as the bachelors of your age have probably gone through divorce and are still burned by previous relationships. They're not exactly "undateable," but you've got to be tough to deal with their baggage.
Your biological clock is ticking louder. If you're still childless in your late 30s, you could start feeling the pressure especially if you're the type who dreams of having a family.
Your body is more vulnerable to complications if you do get pregnant. The common notion is that a woman's fertility begins its decline at 35, but the more pressing issue about this is, pregnancy can be complicated when you conceive at this age or older. "When we look at age, it is not only fertility and pregnancy outcome that we must consider. The maternal risks associated with pregnancy also increase, especially in women 40 or older, when there is an increased chance of death," according to The Washington Post. It will also challenging to care for kids when you're older.
Also read: Swiss Billionaire Margarita Louis-Dreyfus Pregnant With Twins At 53 Years Old
You know what you want... or, more importantly, what you don't want. This might be the coolest truth of all. You're older (but not old), wiser and not going to settle! Have fun and be picky. You deserve it. You're an adult who doesn't have time for high school games - even if you are dating a younger man!
Are you dealing with the pitfalls of dating in your 30s? How do you handle it? Are there any pros to outweigh the cons? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!
