Our Guide to Dating After 50: 6 of the Most Important Do’s and Don’ts

Dating after 50 isn’t always straightforward. But, it also can also bring a lot of great advantages. The trick to enjoying a splendid love life after 50 is to be positive yet realistic. You want to try to avoid those common dating mistakes, refrain from dwelling on romantic mishaps, and instead, focus on making the most of the perks. However, striking this balance isn’t always easy. If you’re struggling to achieve dating success, check out our basic do’s and don’ts for dating after 50 below.

6 Do’s and Don’ts to Follow When Dating After 50

1. Do think about what you want

Before you begin dating after 50, it’s a good idea to spend some time thinking about what you want to gain from this experience. Are you just looking for something casual or are you seeking a serious relationship? What kind of people would you like to go on dates with? And do you have any deal breakers?

Understanding what you hope to get from this next chapter will help you make more informed choices and better yet, put you in a better position to get it. So avoid dating without a plan and instead, have some ground rules and expectations in mind.

2. Don’t abandon traditional ways of meeting

Just because you’re on dating apps doesn’t mean that you can’t try to meet people in other ways too. Start seeing every social outing as an opportunity to meet someone special. Make an effort to talk to strangers and put yourself out there. 

If you’re hoping to meet someone your age, take up a hobby for adults over 50. Maybe you could join a club or volunteer for a charity. Even if you don’t meet a partner, you may meet some new friends, or you may just find some personal fulfillment in doing something or being somewhere that makes you happy.

3. Do focus on yourself

While having a successful love life can be fulfilling, it shouldn’t be your only source of joy, so avoid concentrating all your attention on finding “the one”. If you want to maintain a healthy romantic relationship, then we advise focusing on a different kind of relationship first: the one you have with yourself. 

Self-care is important, no matter your age. It helps us realize who we are, what we deserve, and what we’re looking for. So don’t neglect yourself because you’re looking for love. Instead, do the opposite!  Make an effort to see people and do things that bring you joy. Take yourself on dates. Begin journaling and practicing mindfulness. These rituals may seem simple, but prioritizing them, and other things that make you feel good, is key to dating after 50.

4. Don’t quit after a bad date

Bad dates are like bad days, they happen, and getting over them isn’t always easy. However, it’s important. The key to moving past a bad date is to do just that, move past it. Don’t read too much into it and above all else, don’t let it define your love life.

While dwelling on a disappointing connection may feel like the right thing to do in the moment, in the long term it isn’t a good game plan. Instead, consider a bad date to be a blessing in disguise. Now that you know this person isn’t your perfect match, you’re free to pursue someone else who is. 

5. Do try online dating

These days, more and more people are finding their perfect match online. While dating online may have had a stigma a few years back, now it’s simply an easy, fun, and effective way to find love. If you’ve never tried online dating before, then it’s likely that you feel pretty on edge about taking the plunge. In which case, know that you’re not alone. 

Joining an online dating platform for the first time can be nerve-wracking. However, we promise that it’ll be a great decision. You see, if you’re relying solely on meeting partners through friends or family, you’ll probably be left with a pretty small dating pool. However, online dating can provide you with a sea of potential partners. Moreover, you can join dating sites that cater specifically to individuals dating after 50 so that you can connect with people who are just like you. 

6. Don’t unload everything on a first date

If you’re single over 50, there’s a good chance you’ve got a few past relationships and maybe even a divorce behind you. Many people label past experiences like these as “baggage”. The term “baggage” may evoke a negative connotation, but we don’t view it as a bad thing. We view it as something to be proud of. Having baggage means that you’ve lived! It means that you’ve gone through some tough experiences and made it through to the other side.

However, that doesn’t mean that you should unload yours on your first date. Instead, keep the conversation light. Focus on getting to know your date and if you’re nervous, keep some conversation starters and first date questions in your back pocket. If the date goes well, there will be plenty of time to talk about more serious matters later.

Embrace and Enjoy Dating After 50!

Dating when you’re older can be incredible, all it takes is some patience and a little guidance. So if you want to make the most of dating after 50, simply take note of the advice listed here. Who knows, maybe this chapter will be your most exciting one yet! Take the leap and join SilverSingles senior dating app today, a cherished platform among seniors in search of love.