Honestly I've kinda given up on dating. My ex was doing sugar daddying and had other boyfriends behind my back. The world is too crazy for relationships right now. You have to hope you are lucky and found the one while you were still young.
Forgive me if I'm reaching, but as a fellow survivor I would highly recommend seeking therapy, my friend.
It sounds as if you are letting an experience with a horrible human being influence your life post-separation. Noone should have such port over you, especiay not narcissists, liers and abusers.
Not dating for a while is actually a healthy response. Work on your self, get your emotional world in order, and you'll become stronger and happier.
There are wonderful people out there, worth sharing your life with. I'm glad I said no to abuse, worked on my shit and and didn't give up.
My parents tried to set me up with their friend's kids from church when I was young. I feel like a moron for resisting that.
Having teenagers/young adults handle dating themselves is cruel IMO. I know a lot of people don't like that because they take individual liberty to be some basic axiom but if you stop and think about it this doesn't work.
