[PeterWhittaker]

I left my then-spouse at 51. I had no expectations for any future relationships, I just needed to protect myself by getting out of that one.

(I'm skipping details as a) they are not germane to this post and b) there is no way I could provide enough detail to forestall the inevitable armchair relationship counselling; let's just say it was bad, and I was the last to really recognize it. At any rate....)

I'm 60. I've been with my current partner for over 7 years. She is the sweetest, kindest, most loving, most accepting person I've ever known. Lest one get the wrong idea, she is also strong willed, intelligent, and, when she needs to be, blunt AF. But she rarely needs to be, because when you are with someone like that, it is easy to talk about EVERYTHING.

She was - and continues to be - a complete surprise and breath of fresh air. I work in cybersecurity, when she worked her area was healthcare, and we met through theatre (she's backstaqe, I act, so it works really well). Our meeting and our connection were unplanned, unlooked for, and unexpected for us both (she had been single for a LONG time and was more than happy alone).

One never knows where or when these things might happen.

I know it might seem bleak or desperate, but at 35 you have a full life ahead of you, plenty of time to meet a better match.

Good luck! (And, FWIW, courage, patience, self-care, and hugs! - or a hearty backclap if you prefer....)