"You Don't Have to be Desparate to be Online," say Rebecca

Q: Where are you from?
Purchase, NY. I moved to New York City about 15 years ago.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is that I found a career that I wanted and went after. I made a life for myself here and bought an apartment all on my own.

Q: How much do you attribute your happiness in your career to being single?
I think that had I been in a relationship I probably wouldn’t have focused so much on finding a career that was both emotionally and financially rewarding. I’m glad that I have been able to build this for myself.

Q: What are some of the challenges of dating in your 30s in NYC?
Meeting people my age who share my interests. A lot of my friends are married already so many don’t even go out anymore. It’s hard to be in this single phase when most of my friends have passed it already.

Q: What sorts of things have you tried to meet new people?
I started online dating and I joined a book club. I try to take advantage of any opportunity that comes up. So if someone has a party or an event that is different from what I’ve done before I try to go out and do it.

Q: What misconceptions do you think exist about online dating that you believe to be untrue?
There is this misconception that you have to be desperate to be online. I don’t think that is true at all. Online dating is just another way to meet people.

Q: Looking back would you have preferred to be married earlier in life?
I’m glad I had my single times. There were some fun times.

Q: How has being single during this time shaped you?
Being single has made me more outgoing. I had to put myself out there to meet people. I’m naturally more of a shy and quiet person so I think if I had the safety of being married I wouldn’t have made the effort as much.

Q: Any words of advice for other singles?
You have to be happy within yourself, what you are doing in life and what you are contributing to the world. It isn’t all about a romantic relationship, it’s about you first.