Dating Later Life: No More ‘This Will Do’

It’s been four weeks since the end of a five-year relationship, and I find myself in a place of calm. I feel more at peace than I’ve felt in a long time. The ending was sudden, but the relief that followed told me everything I needed to know. I hadn’t realised just how much mental energy it took to be in that relationship, tiptoeing around moods, keeping my opinions to myself, adjusting my behaviour to keep the peace. Now, with space to reflect, I’ve come to a quiet clarity: I’m no longer willing to settle for that kind of compromise.