I'm 40 myself and I find that a lot of the issues with online dating is that pretty much all apps lead with your age. the other thing I've found is that I have SO much more luck in person meeting new people also finding people based on shared interst is pretty much required now, as generalized socializing almost doesnt happen.

for me it's been boardgaming, polyamory meetups mainly... and volunteering to teach things.

it's a muscle, socializing, it's something that improves with use (but also gets exhausted with overuse)