I adapted it instead of letting it get to me.

couples I worked with. Men, women, and sex.
For men the process is: Arouse, release, relax. This is why they fall asleep after.
For women the process is: Relax, arouse, release. This is why when he comes up behind her while she is doing the dishes and is all “Hey, Baby, Baby” he gets hit with a wet sponge.
From an evolutionary perspective this makes complete sense. If the female is stressed it’s not a good time to conceive.
So what’s that got to do with being a good lover? Simple, help her relax. Do the dishes, plan a fun outing, listen to her vent about work… that emotional connection will make her feel cared for which will help her relax….

I would only add, take your time.

when i was married, i did a huge 4 part painting about it. never got that through his head.

That takes a hell of a lot of pre-thinking to get into that mindset.

I have been tying my head into a knot thinking about how to respond to her initial contact that was through a mutual friend.

Listen. Listen

I would have done exactly the opposite.

shortly after my divorce i read a study about what makes a happy marriage.
it's not about fighting or not, or having sex or not.
it's about gratitude. about saying out loud that you appreciate them and what you have with them.

i can easily see where that would have made a big difference.

Thank you.

If he doesn't treat you like gold from the get-go, RUN, don't walk, the other way.

In between, I had a 23 year relationship with Joyce. In 23 years, we NEVER said a cross word to each other. People find that hard to believe. I always figured it was because she had low expectations.

She died of cancer and was drugged on her hospital bed. The last time she was conscious, the last thing she said to me, "You are the best thing that eve happened to me."

a day later, she died.

I guess I am capable of something but it is clear to me that I have a low self esteem.

The fact that Joyce (my condolences on your loss) said these last words to you tells me you already know how to treat a lady. Kindness and gratitude go a looong way and it sounds like you've got that in spades. Now, extend some of that kindness and gratitude to yourself and you're golden!

You do you. That's enough. Always.

thread, at large. It was meant for you.

About every two months, I ask a question that I really want to know the answer to. These have been questions that a friend would/may not answer truthfully in order to avoid hurt feelings.

D.U. people answer stuff with sincerity when a question is asked and it clearly means something to the questioner.

I hope I have done the same for people when their question or post has asked for a human response.

if you are asking still; I hope you didn't screw it up.
But my answer would be depending on the situation is just take your time; or, .....let me get back to you on that one in a few months. (or years)
This is such a slow moving thread it took a new post for me to see what I missed these past few months, years.
Take care
P.S. on edit: I hope you did ok with the person you wanted to become interested in something.

Friend reported that she didn't want to resume contact.

Oh well.

questions, since I am lousy at it, and certainly run from most of it, if I can.