Something has happened to London’s dating scene since I last dipped my toe in three years ago. Granted, back then it was all a bit of a whirlwind. I was postpartum and reeling from the abrupt end of my long-term relationship. All that mattered to me was proving that someone, anyone, would find a 35-year-old single mum attractive. Dating then, as it had been throughout my twenties, was all about the pub. The reasoning for this was simple: everyone wanted to feel relaxed with a drink or two under their belt.
For me, the pub had always been my safe space. It wasn’t too quiet, it wasn’t too romantic, it wasn’t too formal. It made conversation easier and less awkward. These were all important things to me following the end of the relationship with my daughter’s father. I had been completely blindsided by the split, and as such, felt quite shellshocked as I started to throw myself back into dating. It was far too early, I can see that now. But fast-forward three years, and a lot of healing and growing has been done. Not to mention I am no longer living with my mother and have a place of my own. And I’m not breastfeeding. It’s always good to not be breastfeeding when you’re dating.
