Believe it or not, dating in your 40s isn't all that bad.
Dating in this prime time of your life can be exciting and even fun. You can enjoy lots of new experiences without the pressure to settle down. You can also enjoy the confidence life experiences have given you and use it to your advantage.
However, dating in your 40s isn't just fun and games — it can also be quite stressful. You may have to make an online dating profile, deal with divorce, and much more - perhaps while juggling child care.
All this can lead to anxiety or even convince you that dating is a bad idea. But here's the thing: dating in your 40s will work out just fine as long as you know what to do.
Things to know
- Have clear expectations for what you want in a partner and relationship before entering the dating scene.
- Keep an open mind and don't be afraid to try online dating or use it as a tool to find compatible matches.
- Make the first move and don't be afraid of rejection, but also be open to taking things slow and getting to know a potential partner before committing.
Here are ten tips for dating in your 40s that will help ensure you have the best possible experience:
- Have clear expectations
- Don’t be afraid of online dating
- Make your move
- Forget gender stereotypes
- Don’t make assumptions
- Take things slow
- Avoid oversharing early on
- Leave previous relationships in the past
- Keep an open mind
- Be yourself
Top 10 Tips For Dating In Your 40s
1. Have clear expectations
When you were a younger person, you may have approached dating in a very casual way. However, the dating scene looks very different once you reach a certain age. You need to know exactly what you want before entering the dating world.
If you don't have a clear picture in your mind of what you want, it's hard to find the perfect match. So, it would help if you took some time to think about what you're looking for in a person and from the relationship itself.
Do you want a long-term partner, or do you want a fun time? These relationships look very different, and you'll need to present yourself based on what you want. This will help you attract the best possible partner.
Most people in their 40s are looking for the right person to spend time with. However, not everyone may want the same things. If you are clear about your expectations from a potential match and let them know what you want in a new relationship, you'll make sure not to waste your time (or theirs).
You may be looking for marriage or a life partner to grow old with. You may want a casual relationship, and that's fine. Regardless of what you want, make sure you're open and honest about that early on with any potential partners.
2. Don’t be afraid of online dating
The dating pool looks very different than it did even ten years ago. Many people find it hard to re-enter the dating game now because they don't even know where to look for love. Most people no longer go out and mingle but instead create a dating profile online and surf for potential matches.
If you've never downloaded a dating app, you may feel intimidated. However, online dating is nothing to fear.
You can use your life experience and pre-determined dating goals to help guide you as you create your profile for the dating site or app of your choice. Then, learn how to use the app to find possible matches and communicate with people.
Internet dating can be fun if you're willing to give it a chance. It helps you avoid awkward first dates and gives you time to get to know someone before you commit to an entire date. In many cases, people think online dating helps you find matches with which you're more compatible.
3. Make your move
Regardless of how you meet a new person, you may feel hesitant to make the first move. However, chances are the other person feels the same way. If you avoid making the first move, you may miss out... so don't wait!
You don't necessarily need a cheesy pickup line. You just need something to say and know how to introduce yourself. You can keep it short and sweet and then gauge their interest.
Many people find assertiveness attractive, especially from someone who knows what they want. So, making the first move may also give you an advantage. Just try not to come on too strong, and make sure you are ready to walk away if they drop hints they aren't interested.
4. Forget gender stereotypes
Back in the day, there were specific gender stereotypes we all maintained around a new partner. Men would make the first move and hold open doors, while women would spend hours on their makeup and hair regardless of what kind of date it was.
Unfortunately, gender stereotypes are problematic for several reasons. They can keep you and your partner from genuinely connecting, or they may even not align with what you want from a relationship and give a partner the wrong message.
What's more, if you decide to date a younger man or woman, you may find that they don't subscribe to the same gender stereotypes you once did. Real-life isn't about stereotypes or following some sort of gender code, so just drop the nonsense and be genuine.
5. Don’t make assumptions
People make a lot of assumptions about people who are dating in their 40s. However, it's important to remember that not everyone fits nicely and neatly into a box. Not everyone in their 40s is looking for a long-term commitment, nor are they all recovering from long-term relationships or marriages that recently ended.
When we make assumptions about people, we limit ourselves before we even develop a relationship with them. You may also be unwilling to let your guard down if you make assumptions based on your past relationships.
When you don't make assumptions, you open the door to anything. You give new partners the chance to earn your trust and your heart. More importantly, you make space for positive experiences and make it easier for your love life to bloom.
6. Take things slow
Sometimes people think they have to move quickly when dating in their 40s. You may feel like your biological clock is ticking, and that can push you to rush into a committed relationship. However, that can often backfire and may leave you feeling unhappy in a short amount of time.
Instead, you may find that you make better choices if you take things slow. This lets you have fun dating and gives you time to really get to know the other person.
Also, taking things slow can make it easier for you to see red flags. This can help you avoid heartache or relationship issues like the ones you had in the past. If you speed through dating and rush into things, you might regret it.
7. Avoid oversharing early on
Everyone has horror stories about first dates that go wrong. However, one small mistake people make early on is oversharing. Unfortunately, this can drive someone away before your relationship even begins.
People in their 40s have lots of life experience and may have past relationships filled with drama and lots of emotions. Although you may want to share these details or even bash your exes over appetizers, it's not a wise move.
Instead, keep things very basic on the first few dates. You can answer questions if the other person asks, but try not to give them your entire life story before the end of the first date. Take time to get to know each other — it makes dating more exciting.
8. Leave previous relationships in the past
If you went through an especially painful breakup or divorce, you might have some unresolved feelings that impact how you view the world. However, your past relationships aren't necessarily going to repeat themselves... so leave the past in the past.
Look at dating as a clean slate, not a continuation of the past. Don't assume a new partner will leave you or break your heart. Don't make generalizations based on bad dates from your past. Each date and each relationship is a unique chance and a fresh start.
If you approach everything that way, you'll be much happier and enjoy your dates much, much more.
9. Keep an open mind
Sometimes, our inability to let go and keep an open mind hinders our love life. So, don't let your preconceived notions about what relationships should look like or what you need from a potential partner hold you back — keep an open mind about everything.
Cynicism and preconceived notions about people can impact our view of them. Also, assumptions about age differences or career choices can affect how we see people. If you want to start with a clean slate, then it's time to let all of that go and let the dates speak for themselves.
Remember, you only live once, so why not keep an open mind and let yourself truly live?
10. Be yourself
Although all of these tips for dating in your 40s can help you find love, the most important tip is this one: Be yourself. No one finds true happiness by pretending or hiding parts of themselves just to make another person happy.
So, just be yourself and let the universe do its thing. You'll have the best chance of finding true love if you be genuine and let them fall for you precisely the way you are.
Get Out There And Find Love
Dating in your 40s doesn't have to be scary or disappointing. You may find that you have more fun dating now than you ever did in your 20s.
Just keep these tips in mind and remember to be yourself. You deserve love and happiness. You just have to be willing to put yourself out there and find the kind of love you want.
