A lot of these posters are probably 60+ years old giving BAD advice.
From someone who is 40. Dating has never been easier for men. The average American male in 2024 is either fat, poor or can't lead in the relationship/has no confidence.
At 40 you should be aiming to date in the 26-32 range.
If a woman is single past 32 something is usually wrong (mental health issues, too many partners so pair bonding is destroyed, weird career path like stripper, OF model, etc) OR they have a kid from another man.
Do not under ANY circumstance date a woman with a child. NOT WORTH IT.
Women in this age range are usually looking for a long term relationship and will be more agreeable to dating an older man who is looking for those same things.
At 40 you should have your career in some order so you should have money. No excuse not to be making at least $100k by the age of 40.
The more money you make the better environments you find yourself in. The better environments have higher quality women. What do I mean by this? Country clubs are a better place to find a partner than a strip club.
At 40 you need to keep fit and stay groomed. Do not be fat or chubby. You need to use high quality skin care products. You are on letsrun so I'm assuming you logged lots of miles in the sun. This makes a huge difference in looking younger. Women tell me I look 30.
Back to the better environments example; I met my 27 year old girlfriend at the best skin clinic in town getting a facial treatment. She has multiple friends who work there who are single and will ask me if I have any single friends.
It's easy.