Cheryl Besner: What’s Different When Dating After 50
While it’s true that few fairy tales feature a prince and princess with greying hair, that doesn’t mean that dating after 50 can’t be a ball!
With five decades of life experience under your belt, you’ve become confident in your own skin, and that confidence is undeniably attractive. Remember being in your 20s, working to get your career and life on track in addition to finding a mate? That stress is gone! You’re established in your work and in your lifestyle, and that comfort allows you to put your best face forward and approach dating from a more relaxed, assured perspective.
Your tastes have also naturally become refined – years of trial and error have not only taught you exactly what you like, but exactly what you don’t like. It’s easier to spot the red flags in an individual, and you’re better attuned to the qualities in others that are compatible with you. You have less patience for mind games and excuses – and frankly, so do others in your age group! People who are dating after 50 typically have had one or more significant, long-term relationship under their belt. They know how it all works, they know what they are capable of, and most importantly, they’ve gotten a lot better at communicating it!
If you have had children, they’re most likely grown and out of the house, or at least of a more independent age. Struggling to find a babysitter so you can make that dinner date? That’s not something you have to worry about! If your kids are adults, chances are they’ll encourage your return to the dating scene – they may even be solo themselves, and you can be a source of support for one another. And who knows? One of their friends or co-workers may have a single parent who’s just your style!
Dating over 50 also allows you to enjoy a certain level of poise and worldliness in your partners that – let’s face it – 20- or 30-somethings simply haven’t yet reached. Pizza and Xbox? Not so much. Count on elegant dinners out, trips to the theatre and museums, or weekends at the country house. You stand to benefit greatly from each other’s experience and knowledge. Decades of cultivating certain interests could mean that your date knows how to choose the perfect Chardonnay, curate the best collection of jazz recordings, or map the most breathtaking scenic drive through New England. Sharing these passions with one another is a treat in more ways than one!
A common misconception is that dating after 50 means fishing in a much smaller pond. But that’s simply not true! While there are some individuals who remain in marriages or relationships, plenty are starting a new, solo phase of their already rich lives – and, just like you, are looking for somebody to savour it with.
Our wonderful panel of experts on last week’s show discussed the adventure of dating after 50, and my recent blog post outlines the top places in Montreal to enjoy the company of seasoned singles. Check these out for more inspiration! And, as always, our event calendar is constantly being updated with happenings that will help you Keep It Simply Social!
– Cheryl xo
