5 tips on how to date after 50

If you’re reading this article, it is very likely you are over 50. If you are over 50, it is very likely you were born before 1970. And if you were born before 1970, you didn't have things like email, texting, Facebook or any dating apps like Lumen. You'd invite a nice lady for a meal or would be invited by a handsome man and have a nice conversation. Online scams were not a thing and a blind date was truly blind! Oh what a time!

A record number of ‘baby boomers’ are now single and joining the dating game according to new research. With increasing divorce rates and a record high number of post 1969 babies actively looking for a partner, there has never been a better time to start dating again after 50. And while the idea can seem daunting at first, there are a few simple steps you can follow in order to maximise your chances of finding true love.

It’s 2019, ladies and gents. The key benefit of online dating is that it puts the power in your hands. With so many single people to ‘browse’, you are free to choose who you contact – and who you ignore. Whilst some services require upfront payment, there are alternatives that are free to use, such as Lumen. Not only is this app specifically designed for over 50s, but they also verify 100% of their members. So be safe and just make sure you know what you sign up for.

Casual dating in your fifties and sixties (and beyond) can be a huge self-esteem boost, and is a great way to enjoy a healthy sex life outside of a long-term relationship. But remember to love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely. Feeling alone makes you think irrational thoughts. You start falling in lust with every person you show interest in, or every person who shows interest in you. Be secure in who you are on your own because being alone is important. It helps you find your strength and learn who you are, it makes you realize it’s better to be alone than with someone who isn’t fully invested.

50s are more carefree and more sexually liberated than ever. The good news is that dating when you’re over 50 can be more straightforward than dating as a twenty something - not only do we know what we want from a potential lover, but most importantly, we know what we DO NOT want from a potential partner. We know our bodies really well, we know what we like, we know what we don’t like, and we aren’t afraid of expressing it firmly.

In a world where we’ve been raised to put others first, self-love can often feel selfish. We know we need self-love, yet we have difficulty giving ourselves permission to experience it. It’s a bit ironic, don’t you think? Yet, if you don’t love yourself, you will have trouble believing your partner when they tell you how much they care and you will doubt every word coming out of their mouths because you simply can’t realize your worth. What if you tried to fall in love with yourself first?

Anyway… Keep faith — Love always finds a way.