If you\u2019ve been married or in a relationship for a long time, the thought of dating again can make anyone break out in a sweat and want to binge watch rom-coms on Netflix. Not to worry, you can do this. Here are seven things to keep in mind as you begin the adventure of dating over 50:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t even think of it as dating.<\/strong> Switch it up. Find a local spot to make your own. Dress the part. Make room for surprises to happen. Don\u2019t be afraid to make the first move.<\/strong> Don\u2019t take it too seriously.<\/strong> P.S. As I was writing this article, I met a guy at a caf\u00e9! A younger man. But that will be another story.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Find the humor in life and maybe you\u2019ll meet someone ready to take the leap with you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":137,"featured_media":15658,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[884,979],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dating-advice","category-over-50-dating"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nInstead, think of it as an opportunity to fling yourself out into the universe and see what comes back. Chatting up someone in line at the movies or the market is always a good idea. You never know where little moments of connection can lead. One of my personal favorites is asking directions from the handsome guy on the corner. (He doesn\u2019t need to know that you\u2019re anything but lost.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>Men tend to go out on their own and are comfortable at a bar or event. Women, on the other hand, like to go out with their gal pals. So we have men in sports bars and women in wine bars. Unless you want to keep meeting your own kind, switch it up. Ladies, it won\u2019t kill you to go to a game now and then. And don\u2019t go out with a gaggle of gals. Do you know how hard it is for a man to approach a group of women to start a conversation? Go out by yourself sometimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>Remember Cheers? The eponymous TV show\/bar where everyone knows your name? I\u2019m sure there\u2019s a place like that near you where you can be comfortable. I know the best bartenders within a 10-mile radius of my apartment. I tip them heavily and they take care of me whether I\u2019m with friends or on my own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>Men, going to a fashion event may help break you of the Hawaiian shirt phenomena, while giving you access to many lovely ladies. And please, wear a sports jacket! Every man looks good in one and a white button down shirt is classic. Ladies, on the other hand, could button up a bit. Leave the cleavage and high slit skirts for later in the game. Mystery matters!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/strong>You know when you travel to a new place, how things tend to happen? It\u2019s because you are out and about and don\u2019t always know what\u2019s next. That\u2019s a good way to look at life where you live. You don\u2019t have to plan everything\u2014Live in the moment. Explore. Go to a museum. Or to painting night at bar. You may even discover a hidden talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/em>Men typically take the initiative and approach a woman first. But I think waiting for anything is over. The last time I batted my eyelashes at someone across the room, it looked like I was suffering from dry eye. When you\u2019re on a date, and feel the moment is right for that first kiss, do it. You\u2019ve been around long enough to trust your instincts. In less intimate situations, be prepared to make the first move too. Always carry either a business or a personal card. You can get really fun ones made online. Customize them with your pic and don\u2019t be afraid to give yourself a tagline. i.e. The last good woman on earth. (Oh wait, that\u2019s mine.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nKeep in mind, the human condition is agonizingly funny. We all make fools of ourselves at one time or another. So laugh, flirt, and enjoy this time. You will never be younger than you are right now! Even if there isn\u2019t that one grand love, there will be other things. With any luck, there will friendship, maybe romance. And if there is a god, there will be dancing! Find the humor in life and maybe you\u2019ll meet someone ready to take the leap with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n