Dating is different when you get older. You're not as trusting or as eager to get back out there and expose yourself to someone.
I know for works for me - those wonderful sad love songs.
The Peking man was a thinking being standing erect dating to the beginning...
I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true - hard work pays off. If you want to be good you have to practice practice practice. If you don't love something then don't do it.