Life (regardless of sexual orientation) happens in phases.
The key to succeeding in each phase is to prepare, and adjust expectations.
Youth is temporary and is a fleeting phase that has many forks in the road to choose from.
For any man or woman to expect to be lusted after and “paid attention to” over the age of 40, in the same way that they were at 20, is delusional and unrealistic.
I’m 46 and could care less about attracting younger men, or being a sex symbol. I took care of all of that during the time I was supposed to.
In the cases where people do flirt with me, and show me attraction, I’m pleasantly flattered, take it as that, and move on.
People need to grow up.