It’s Friday night, I’m sitting on the couch scrolling through Reddit on my phone, and my wife is next to me watching something on Netflix. Not a word has passed between us for over an hour. After 23 years of marriage, this is as close as we ever get now.

So, yeah… like many of you, I’m here because of a long-dead bedroom (actually, separate bedrooms) and a marriage that has been reduced to little more than a couple of housemates who happen to have two kids together. We live very separate lives, and mine feels pretty empty at the moment. I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt even slightly attractive or wanted, so it’d be nice to have that again, even if it’s only for a little while. After all, I’m not dead yet.

About me: 50 years old, 6 ft 3, a bit of a dad bod to go with the bald head and glasses - despite this unflattering description, I’m actually quite presentable. Three tattoos, no piercings. Non-smoker, non-drinker (but I’m not militant about it). I feel like I’ve become a bit of a shut-in over the last few years, so most of my interests are things I can do from home - music (most genres), movies (comedies and cheesy ‘70s horror movies at the top of the pile), reading, and playing guitar (very badly). I’m also involved in community radio and a local theatre company, which is good fun.

About you: I’m looking for someone in a similar situation to talk to, confide in, commiserate with, and possibly more once we get to know each other better - we’re not here to talk our spouses down, though. Ideally, you’ll be in the same time zone as me (or close to it), because I’d be keen for actual in-person meetings at some point in the future. Age range is open, but I’d probably have more in common with someone between, say, 40 and 55. Having a few interests in common wouldn’t go astray, either.

If we get along together, I’m open to moving on to another chat app (I’m on Telegram and Discord). I have capacity to chat online at almost any time of the day, but understand that real life sometimes gets in the way of online activity.

Insert the usual disclaimer about not wanting to change your situation or mine.

Discretion is essential (obviously).