Online dating services are a great
place to start looking for love especially if you're a little shy or have
trouble meeting people at a bar or restaurant. Sites like Match.com, AffluentSingle.com
match people by interests, location, age and more. Help yourself find more
potential matches by including a picture in your profile. For more online
dating networks see the Resource Section below.
Dating takes work and courage so get
out of your comfort zone. Think about your typical day: work, gym, church,
neighborhood coffee shop, take out for dinner. If you follow a routine you
probably see the same people all the time. Changing your habits will help you
meet new people. Try switching gyms or work out at your gym after work instead
of in the morning, go to a new coffee shop and sip your drink at a table
instead of taking it in the car, check out an out-of-the-way restaurant and eat
there instead of getting take out.
Go on a singles vacation and meet as
many other singles as possible. People go on these vacations to meet a partner
so don't be shy. You could go on a singles cruise, stay at a singles resort, or
travel with a large group of other singles. If you don't want to travel totally
alone, convince a single friend to go along too. If you take a friend, just
remember why you're on the SINGLES vacation...you want to meet your long lost
love, so don't spend all your time with your friend. Check out the Resources
Section below for singles vacation ideas.
A good place to look for love is in
your past. Think about a long lost flame, a high school crush or a college
boyfriend that moved away and you lost touch. Attend high school or college
reunions and homecomings and you could reconnect (as long as they're single
too!) with a long lost love. You might even meet someone at a reunion that you
didn't know in school, but now year's later, you're a perfect match!
Market yourself to everyone you know.
Let friends, family, co-workers and neighbors know you're looking for love. Ask
them if they know anyone they could set you up with or introduce you to. If
you're not up for meeting a stranger alone you could always go on a double date
with your mutual friend.
The most important thing about dating
after 40 is to keep an open mind. Try not to be cynical when it comes to
finding love. Be as positive about the experience as you can, no matter how
much you dislike being single or dating. Remember, you need to be happy with
yourself first, before you can be happy with someone else!
Don't force a relationship. If the
spark's not there after 2 or 3 dates, move on. There's no use wasting your time
or the other person's if there's no attraction. The sooner you realize it's not
going to work, the sooner you can get to finding another date who might just be
your perfect match.
