I've always found that being in a serious/stable relationship tends to slowly cut people off over time. I honestly like being single in my mid-30's because there's always a little kick in the pants to get out and socialize that my married friends don't have.
Every time I end up in a stable live-in relationship (and I've seen this happen to a lot of my friends as well), the idea of going out and seeing/making friends more than once a week feels more and more unnecessary over time. It's so much easier to cook dinner and watch Netflix rather than get dressed and be on the prowl (both for romantic relationships and interesting people to hang out with).
On one hand I share your feeling about being on the prowl for new people, on the other hand when I go out alone, my favorite thing is to meet and get a taste of people’s life. And then everyone reminds me how much I can’t wait to come home to my partner who is just better than everyone else in this world. I wonder if I’ll be able to make new close friends and not just superficially socialize now that I have someone that just gets me.
I also really wish I could meet older people (I’m in my mid twenties and think 40 to 60) but I don’t know how to proceed. I do from time to time with my in laws friends but how to find people that age genuinely on my own ...
I had the opposite problem using meetup.com in the suburbs to meet young people like myself. For example, I would go to salsa or swing dancing meet-ups and all of the people would be couples in your 40 to 60 range. So maybe try that?
Just curious, why exactly do you want to meet people twice your age?
For many reasons I often hung out with people much older than me. I am the only one of my age range in my family so I guess I was always surrounded by adults. I am appalled by calm diners more than bars. Also I like questioning people's experience, and I'm currently in a place where I have many questions about later life and I don't have a sufficient sample of people similar to me, just older, to talk about that sort of stuff.
I just really enjoy the interactions I have with older adults...
As a married guy I have to say: That “prowl” sucks! I’m so glad to be in a long-term relationship because the time and money commitment of going out and putting foot to pavement was a huge drain—something I won’t miss ever.
Every time I end up in a stable live-in relationship (and I've seen this happen to a lot of my friends as well), the idea of going out and seeing/making friends more than once a week feels more and more unnecessary over time. It's so much easier to cook dinner and watch Netflix rather than get dressed and be on the prowl (both for romantic relationships and interesting people to hang out with).