Dating Over 50: 7 Tips for Success

Dating can be stressful for anybody, but for people in middle age, it can feel especially daunting. Some feel the pressure of finding someone to spend the rest of their lives with, fearful about ending up alone. Others worry about coming in with too much baggage, notably if they’re getting back into dating after divorce or widowhood.

The good news is that dating over 50 is probably less awful than you imagine it to be. After years of life, love, and experience, people tend to be more senior and have a healthier perspective on relationships. This makes for less drama and better communication.

However, the dating game has changed. It’s moved online to websites and apps. In fact, despite being once stigmatized, it’s now the most popular way that Americans meet their partners.

But what are the rules for navigating this new digital dating pond? Is it really something the single over 50 crowd should consider? The answer is yes, and if you follow these online dating tips, new love may soon be within reach.

7 Tips for Dating Over 50

1) Define Your Ideal Partner

When you’re dating over 50, you may feel pressed for time and unfortunately, finding love isn’t exactly a speedy process. Knowing what you’re looking for in a romantic partner can be a big timesaver.

Journaling is a helpful tool for identifying the traits you need in a partner. Start by making notes about the things you’ve learned about yourself from past relationships. Acknowledge the fact that you’re no longer the person you were when you first started dating. As such, the kind of person you’re looking for has probably changed too.

Make a list of the characteristics that matter to you, as well as the ones you want to avoid. Keep this list somewhere you can easily consult it when browsing profiles.

2) Write a Great Profile Description

Sure, the profile picture is what reels in potential dates, but a great profile description is what seals the deal. This is your opportunity to show off your personality and shining sense of humor. You can also explain why you’ve decided to get back into dating and what kind of partner you’re looking for.

This portion of your profile is important because it helps verify your existence. Because bots and liars are a common occurrence, many will ignore your profile altogether if it lacks a thorough description.

Finally, make sure that everything you write is 100% true. If you have children, say so and don’t lie about your age. Some people falsely believe that these factors are what prevent them from getting dates. In reality, lying is much more likely to be the element that pushes potential partners away.

3) Choose a Flattering, Recent Profile Picture

This is one of the most common online dating tips, and for good reason. After all, your profile picture is the deciding factor that determines whether or not someone clicks on your profile. So, make sure to choose one that clearly shows off your features and is recent – no more than a year old. It goes without saying that your profile picture should actually look like you. Another tip for picking a profile picture is to avoid studio photos, as they may make your profile seem fake.

Make sure to include two to three additional photos in your profile. At least one should include your full body. Dating experts advise that you should also include a lifestyle shot that shows you enjoying a hobby or activity. That way, your suitors get a glimpse of you having fun and enjoying life.

4) Take Initiative

If you see a profile that interests you, don’t wait for them to come to you. It’s possible that the person you’re interested in might never see your profile if you don’t reach out. Playing shy may have worked at times in old-fashioned dating, but it never works online.

Dating sites and apps are inundated with profiles. It may be overwhelming, but it’s also a good reminder to the over 50 dating crowd that there are options out there. Don’t hesitate to try them out. You’ve got absolutely nothing to lose. Dating is, after all, a numbers game. Eventually, you’ll find the match for you.

5) Brace Yourself for Rejection

Unfortunately, one of the downsides of taking initiative online is that you are more likely to experience rejection. It might not be fun, but it’s a part of the process. When this happens, try not to take it too hard and remind yourself of all the other people out there. This shouldn’t be difficult – all you have to do is go back online!

Since online dating is mostly message-based, one form of rejection you’re likely to experience is no reply. In the case that they didn’t respond to your initial attempt to reach out, you haven’t lost much. In fact, it’s possible that the profile isn’t even active. Many dating sites leave up profiles long after a user has stopped paying for a subscription.

On the other hand, if someone you’ve been messaging for a while suddenly stops responding, it can be hurtful. Online, people hide behind their profiles, leading them to do things they would never do in real life. One example is “ghosting,” the name for this type of sudden disappearance, which has become increasingly common in online dating. People dating over 50 may find this shocking and completely unacceptable, but try not to take it too personally. Often, the reason people stop responding has nothing at all to do with you.

6) Live in the Moment

By the time you reach middle age, you’ve had plenty of life experience. Most likely, you’ve had serious relationships in the past. You may even have a family. Or perhaps you’re getting back into dating after divorce. These experiences may be an important part of who you are, but don’t dwell on them. Continually bringing up the past gives the impression that you haven’t moved on and aren’t ready for a new relationship.

If you find a good partner, eventually you can and should talk about these experiences. When you’re first getting to know someone, however, these subjects can wait.

7) Have Fun!

Dating over 50 doesn’t have to be a drag. Just because you’re older now doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. One of the wonderful things about dating is that it unlocks a flirty, playful side you may have forgotten. Don’t suppress it – embrace it. You’ll attract more people with a lively, happy vibe anyway.

It takes some time to get the hang of online dating, but once you’ve gotten used to it, enjoy it. Even if you don’t meet your soulmate right away, you’ll meet plenty of interesting people along the way. So long as you’re having fun, you’ll walk away with a funny story or two at the very least.

Give Dating Over 50 a Your Best Shot Online

If you’re single over 50 and ready to get back into dating, start by building an online dating profile today. For the best chance of finding like-minded individuals to connect with, consider OurTime or Silver Singles. Both are popular options made specifically for dating over 50. Otherwise, you can try your luck on a mainstream site like Match, which also hosts many senior adults.

Dating over 50 won’t always be easy, but these dating tips will make it at least a little more manageable. Just don’t give up – your next love may be a click away!