It is absolutely a shit show and was far far easier in my 20s.
Better to try real life methods - even though they are incredibly difficult and resoundingly terrible overall too. The most difficult part could just be getting in front of someone you find attractive - dating apps make it relatively easy to find the attractive ones even if they put them behind a paywall.
> soulmates are hype
Another commenter said:
> marry up emotionally
Emotional hygeine is imo the biggest contributor to a stable relationship. I'm a stupid curmudgeonly weirdo but my wife is a gem of a woman and she keeps me going. Her positivity and our healthy debate about literally everything makes sure everything is going well and we're happy.
Hidden gems are around and I feel that literature/media over romanticizes serendipity among other things in dating and relationships.
Dating apps are terrible. There's a HN post doing BOTE math about dating that will blow your mind. Make friends. Friends and siblings (not parents or uncles/aunts) make the best matchmakers if you are open when you want to date someone.
I wish that was true. For me, dating became incredibly harder after 40 even though my social status has considerably increased.