Dear Prudence,
My husband and I recently divorced after getting married when we were 21 and fresh out of college. I went from living at home to living in a dorm room to living with my husband. Now, in my early 40’s, I am living alone for the first time as our son is leaving for college. I want to get out and build a life on my own and part of that is dating other people. However, my husband is the only person I have ever dated, and I have no point of reference on where to start. I don’t want a serious relationship, but I do want to meet other people and date like I should have before getting married to the first person I ever kissed. My self-confidence has always been low, despite doing well in my career and having a solid group of friends. I tend to be more reserved until I really know someone and can feel awkward in social situations with people I do not know. How do I overcome my insecurities and lack of experience so I can “date” for the first time in my life?
—First Date at 43