When I started dating in my 50s after being off the market for my entire adult life,

I felt like I had stumbled into a whole new world.

That was especially true when it came to online dating and other social media platforms.

Of course, I needed to get familiar with how to use these sites.

But I also discovered it was really helpful to learn and keep up with the lingo.

Like ghosting.

That's one without warning, someone withdraws from all communication.

Or love bombing, which is basically way too much, way too soon. And there's so much more,

which reminds me of a conversation I had a few years ago with a twice divorced woman in Chicago.

Her name is Amanda. More, do you want more? Tell me what you want to tell me about yourself.

Okay. I am about to be 54 years old. I own my own home, which is fabulously decorated. I have two fantastic dogs, many, many houseplants, pretty good hair. What else do I like about me?

Hard working, but I am trying to put that to rest.

Retiring, you mean?

Not retiring, just becoming a leisurely person.

Oh, okay.

Someone who doesn't feel the need to accomplish so much. Oh, goodness.

That sounds like a whole different conversation. I don't know if you remember, but we got connected

through a friend of yours who I know here in Northern Virginia. Yes.

And the first thing that we talked about, I mean, when you and I spoke, which was very

little, you used a word I had never heard before, negging.

Yeah.

So what's that all about?

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