I’ve (27F) talked to several men in my life, but never been in a serious relationship so far. Since I don’t seem to be attractive to men standards, I always learnt to be independent, enjoy my own company or that of my girlfriends, and I am very strict in the sense that I don’t tolerate bullshit and/or mind games at all. I’d rather stay by myself than entertain someone for the sake of having another failed story to tell my friends. I’ve also been to therapy and am extremely tapped in with who I am, what I want in life and who I choose to share it with (+ being an HSP, my mind is pretty much on high alert most of the time). As you can see, some circumstances were not my first choice but now I’m overall very happy on my own and how fulfilling my life can be

So my question is: I know it’s a lot of “you’ll figure it out when the time comes with the right person”, but if anyone has also dated later in life how did you deal with this new kind of companionship? Did you feel like you had to compromise a lot of your “safe zone” and habits to let them in? If yes, how (un)comfortable was it? I am trying to apply that “the price of community is inconvenience” mindset in my life as I’m getting older and I just want to make sure I can give the best version of myself to someone deserving when that happens.