When you’re looking for love later in life, it can be challenging to know where to start, especially if you have recently come out of a long-term marriage or relationship. Whether it’s because of an amicable split, a difficult divorce, or an untimely loss, reclaiming your life as a senior single can be a daunting experience.
That shouldn’t mean that you shouldn’t share your golden years with a new companion, if that feels like the right thing to do. Getting your confidence back is the key to successful dating as a senior, and in our guide, we’ll help you with everything you need to know in order to find your perfect match.
Benefits Of Senior Dating
Many people assume that dating when you’re over 60 will be fraught with difficultly, but the truth is, many seniors find it can be more straightforward than dating in your 20s. The reason senior dating could be considered a more simple proposition is due to the fact that most people have a firmer grip on their sense of identity and what interests them as well as a history of past relationships to draw on, which provides the perfect foundation for knowing what they want from a potential partner.
As a mature person interested in finding new love or companionship in today’s modern world, there are more ways than ever before for how and where to meet people.
Meeting People Online
As we mentioned already, there are more ways than ever to meet people in today’s modern world, and this is due to the technological advancements that also let you shop, bank, and work online.
In the past, online dating was often seen as the last resort when traditional methods didn’t work, whereas it is now the go-to method to connect you with thousands in your immediate area, even when it comes to over 60s or 70s.
The key advantage of online dating is the fact that it puts all the power in your hands, and with so many people online, you are free to browse, choose who you contact, and decide who to ignore. Many online dating sites are free to use and only expect login details, a short biography, a location, and photos in order to get started. Other sites require you to pay a subscription fee and provide more information about yourself, such as a questionnaire, to help tailor your search.
Choosing The Right Dating Site
When you’re looking to start dating again, it’s crucial that you find a dating site that is right for you, and most seniors prefer to sign up to services that are tailored specifically for a mature audience, whether that’s an over 60s dating site or an app that caters to more mature interests, in order to match with like-minded people in a similar age bracket.
Inded, other people prefer to focus on shared interests rather than finding people of a similar age and find they enjoy the company of people who share their opinions on politics or world affairs and don’t mind whether they are older or younger than them.
Once you’ve found the right matchmaking service or app for you, you’ll need to create a profile to reflect your personality, world view, and interests. However, try not to list your characteristics or interests; instead, speak about the kind of person you are to give the reader a better idea of who might complement you and your life.
Read: 5 IDEAL tips on making your profile ping
When your profile is ready, don’t be afraid to respond to messages or send out your own to get to know people, and remember you don’t have to keep things online, you can meet up for actual dates in restaurants or museums, though remember to practice safe dating when doing so (more of that in a moment).
Finally, in order to complete your dating profile, it’s imperative to make sure that the photos you provide are clear and recent for the best chance of success finding a dating match.
Don’t Forget About Safety
The ugly side of online dating is the risk of falling for scams. People with malicious intent are everywhere on the web, and senior citizens are common targets. So, be careful when searching for romance online. For one, use legitimate websites. A credible dating platform has basic security measures to protect user data.
Premium dating services have fees, which means providing some financial details. You must be confident this information is safe. Another safety measure is to avoid giving away personal information. If someone you are chatting with seems too interested in personal details, be wary – it could be a scam.
In case an online interaction leads to a date, take the necessary precautions. Don’t invite an online date home, and stick to public settings like a restaurant. Finally, tell at least one other person where you will be and with whom.
Read: Top tips for navigating an ever-evolving dating scene
Analogue Dating
If you’re having trouble connecting to people online or in-person, a great way to get back into the dating groove is by taking a summer getaway, as it’s the perfect environment to strike up a romance. Furthermore, holidaying when single offers you the opportunity to dictate your own travel itinerary, which will provide you with the perfect chance to tick off bucket-list experiences you’ve always dreamt about.
There may be a part of the world that you’ve always wanted to visit but never had the chance to go; consider adding some friends to your trip to help with any anxieties you may have about meeting people or dive in solo while signing up for activities that will let you meet people. Travelling alone can sometimes be a little daunting, but it’s the ideal way to meet new people who could become friends for life or new romantic partners.
Back on terra firma, consider positively old school methods of meeting new people, such as evening classes, volunteering, and the rest.
And with that, we can’t wait to be invited to the wedding!