Being a single man or woman in later life can be a little intimidating, leaving you with no idea where to start. You might be used to being in a relationship, unsure of what dating is like today, and not be confident in your flirting skills.
That’s okay though. It’s normal to feel a little nervous and out of practice, because you are. The good news is, it doesn’t take long to get yourself back into the game.
A great advantage you have over the younger crowd is you know who you and what you want—which means it’ll be quicker for you to find that special person.
Here’s what it’s really like dating as a senior…
Remember—you are not alone.
From the things you read and here in the media, you’d believe that dating is only for younger people, but that’s not true in the slightest. There are so many seniors dating and looking for love too—just look at the many senior only dating sites that have been created in the past decade.
So if you’re feeling a little sorry for yourself and your single status—snap out of it! And if online dating scares you, don’t let that stop you from giving it a go. It might be the best thing you ever do.
Don’t act your age.
You’ve probably spent your entire life being told to take things seriously, and be responsible. Now is the time to indulge in your former teenager, and get back to having some fun while dating.
When you focus on enjoying yourself, being playful and happy, you’re going to attract way more potential dates than if you don’t know how to relax and have fun. People of all ages are highly attracted to laughter, playfulness, and spontaneity.
Try online dating.
The internet has taken over, and we can officially do almost anything online today. That includes meeting fellow senior singles, and falling in love. Internet dating used to be taboo, and something only really desperate people did—but that’s not the case anymore.
There are so many singletons on dating sites for you to look at and chat with, and it only takes a matter of minutes to get yourself set up on one of these sites. Some are free, while others offer paid subscription plans. Some will even show you matches based on your personality and the qualities you’re looking for.
Try it today for yourself and see. You can always delete your account if you end up not liking it.
Looks are way less important.
Most young people will put looks up there as one of the most important factors when deciding to date someone. When you get older, you realize that looks no longer matter like they used to. Of course, you still want to find someone you’re attracted to, but you’re also aware there’s so much more to someone than their appearance. This makes dating so much easier than it used to be.
Join a club or activity group.
If you’ve tried online dating and you know it’s not for you, that’s fair enough. There are plenty of other ways you can get out there and meet new people. Why not try joining a local club, or take up a new hobby? This is not only fun and a great way to keep active and make friends, but it’s also a gold mine of potential mates.
Think about your favorite things to do, or things you’ve always wanted to try but never have. There’s no better time to try a few of them out than right now.
Take a vacation.
You might have a group of close friends you’d love to vacation with, but if not you could always go on a senior trip solo and join a group of other seniors in the process.
There’s nothing better than enjoying a getaway with plenty of sunshine, relaxation, great food, and the chance to explore a new place. It’s also a great environment for romance to bloom. The least you’ll get out of it is a wonderful break from your day to day life!
See each date as a fresh start.
When you start dating again later in life after a long gap, it’s easy to find yourself comparing new people to former partners. But the reality is, dating now is not about trying to fill someone else’s shoes—it’s about starting completely afresh and falling in love all over again with someone new.
When you consciously choose to see each date as a new chance to meet someone different, you’ll be pleasantly surprised instead of disappointed.
Have fun!
Like I mentioned earlier, the greatest tip I could give anyone who’s dating—no matter what age they are—is to focus on having fun. Love is supposed to be exciting and enjoyable. So get into the right state of mind, relax, and follow your heart wherever it leads you.
